MEXICO – Last winter’s mild temperatures created an unusual dilemma this month for selectmen – indirectly, they’re paying more for the heating oil they already bought.

That didn’t sit well with three selectmen at Wednesday night’s board meeting. However, all but two voted to go along with Woodstock Oil Co.’s proposition of trading oil the town bought but hasn’t been delivered yet, toward delivery cost increases.

“It only affects us in terms of our remaining heating oil,” Town Manager John Madigan said late Thursday afternoon.

Last October, Mexico joined area towns and school districts, buying 22,000 gallons of heating oil at the bulk rate of $1.539. That contract expired last month, but Mexico still had 3,280 gallons to be delivered. The town only used 18,720 gallons in its five buildings, Madigan said.

The problem, he added, is that even though Mexico bought its oil last year, the company can no longer deliver it at the same price.

Madigan said the company wants to deliver the remaining oil at its cost price, which in the last two weeks has fluctuated between $1.743 and $1.796 a gallon.

“We’re not paying him, but he’s subtracting out from our volume of remaining fuel oil,” the town manager said.

Selectmen’s Chairman Barbara Laramee said the company should honor its deal and deliver the oil at the agreed-on price.

Selectman Reggie Arsenault concurred with Laramee.

“We prepaid for this stuff, so, he’s still got to be making money,” he said.

But Selectman George Byam argued that it wouldn’t be in the town’s best interest to hold the company to that prepaid price deal. He then motioned to go along with it. Laramee didn’t vote because she can only do so if there’s a tie. It was OK’d 3-1, with Arsenault opposing.

Selectman Peter Merrill joined Byam and Selectman Richie Philbrick, voting yes.

“I’m voting for it, but I don’t like it,” Merrill said.

No one was present at the meeting from Woodstock Oil Co.