AUBURN – A Democratic Party fundraiser aimed at locking in a lower heating oil price has been expanded especially for Auburn residents.

Al Sicard, executive director of DemCorps, said his group locked a $4.45 per gallon price last week for customers that purchase all of their oil upfront.

The DemCorps program is available to any resident of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Sagadahoc or York counties. Members pay $35 per year to join the group and get the locked in rate.

But Sicard said the group agreed to lower the per person membership fee to $25 for Auburn residents willing to put together a plan with their neighbors. The group will also donate $5 of each membership to create an Edward Little scholarship fund.

“We don’t care if they are Democrats or not,” Sicard said. “If there’s a Republican or two in there, we don’t mind.”

To qualify, each neighborhood group has to establish one person as a neighborhood captain. That person will gather applications and answer questions for both members and the oil company.

DemCorps has three pricing categories, offered through Fielding Oil and Propane. Those willing to purchase all of their oil upfront will pay $4.45 per gallon. Those willing to pay for a third of their oil up front will pay $4.50 per gallon. They must agree to pay the balance of their heating oil bill in 10 monthly installments.

The price for people who don’t want to purchase their oil upfront is $4.60 per gallon. They must agree to pay for their oil in 10 monthly installments.

The group is registering members via its Web site, www.demcorps.org/discount.aspx, through June 10.