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| By Katelyn Gendron Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM Residents seeking fuel assistance from the town's Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund this winter will be in for some disappointment. The rising cost of fuel coupled with the increasing demand for assistance has prompted town officials to decrease assistance levels, providing only 50 gallons of oil this year as opposed to the 100 gallons available last year for eligible residents. Mayor Susan Dawson noted that the fund is currently too small to aid the anticipated number seeking assistance and is asking residents to begin donating now. "Although the temperatures outside make it hard for us to think about winter, a difficult heating season is quickly approaching," she said. "Whether our residents heat by electricity, oil or natural gas, we will all feel the pressure of higher energy prices this winter . While residents usually register for fuel assistance through the state, the city's fund helps people who 'fall though the cracks.'" According to Treasurer Laurel Placzek, the town's Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund has a current balance of $2,975. She noted that by winter the account usually totals approximately $4,000 and that last year, $1,500 was disbursed to residents in need. Dawson explained that fuel assistance can only be granted to a resident once each year, however. "While we can't pay for an entire heating season, what we can do is help a resident with a one-time delivery of oil or pay a portion of a gas or electric bill. Sometimes this is all a resident needs to help them through a difficult time," she said. Dawson noted that the town uses the same standards as the Valley Opportunity Council to determine eligibility. The council bases eligibility on family size, percent of federal poverty level and combined income. Figures from fiscal year 2008 stipulates that a family's combined gross annual income cannot exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level in order to be eligible for assistance; a family of one cannot earn more than $20,420 annually and a family of four cannot earn more than $41,300 annually. She added that she has not set a fundraising goal but encourages residents to consider helping their neighbors as much as they can. Residents seeking fuel assistance should call the Inspection Office at the Department of Public Works at 821-0632 or the mayor's office at 786-0400 ext. 200. Donations can be mailed to the Mayor's Office, 36 Main St., Agawam, MA 01001. Make checks payable to "Agawam Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund." |