Buckfield selects Strong Propane for propane, Dead River for heating oil for winter
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Summary
The Town of Buckfield Select Board voted to accept Strong Propane—s bid for propane service and Dead River—s bid for heating oil for the coming winter after reviewing three proposals. Board members discussed tank changeover, emergency delivery commitments and automatic delivery procedures before approving the vendors by voice vote.
The Town of Buckfield Select Board voted Oct. 7 to accept Strong Propane—s proposal for propane service and Dead River—s proposal for heating oil for the 2025—2026 winter season.
The board reviewed three bids submitted in response to a fuel RFP. Dead River proposed a fixed price of $1.61 per gallon for propane and $2.65 per gallon for heating oil. Strong Propane offered a fixed propane price of $1.49 per gallon (and a variable option consisting of a fixed margin of $0.35 per gallon over cost) and said it would supply and set tanks at serviced locations. A third bidder, Veil Energy, listed a propane price of about $1.449 per gallon and heating oil at $2.719 per gallon.
Staff said the bid pricing was calculated using the town—s historical usage figures (about 8,300 gallons of propane and roughly 2,100 gallons of heating oil). Board members discussed tank changeover logistics and whether a fee applied for setting tanks; Strong—s written proposal stated the company "would supply and set tanks at all locations being serviced," and the board noted last year—s bid had a $500 tank-placement fee but that Strong—s current response did not show a fee.
Board members also discussed emergency delivery commitments and automatic delivery practices. Staff noted Strong advertised 24-hour emergency delivery and that the town—s temperature sensors and automatic-delivery scheduling reduce the risk of fuel outages. The board emphasized the need for explicit contract language on emergency response and any vendor responsibility for damages if a property freezes during a delivery lapse.
A motion to accept Strong Propane for propane and Dead River for heating oil was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: the motion to accept Strong Propane (propane) and Dead River (heating oil) passed by voice vote; no recorded roll-call tallies were taken during the meeting.
What remains: staff will finalize contract details and check for any tank-placement fees, clarify the vendors— emergency-delivery obligations in writing, and proceed with the selected vendors to coordinate winter deliveries.
