Our Town is working on the bids for the 2008-2009 season. This season is closed. When OT goes out for a bid, who ever is a paid member is included in that bid. They will do several bids up until the next heating season. At the opening of next season, you have the choice of accepting the bid or buying it on your own at which point you would waste your $25 membership fee. Propane does not have a pre-buy, you pay for it after delivery, as you normally would, just the price is a lot more acceptable
In the years following the first one, the price is based on what you used the year before.
I don't know how OT does it for oil, I only use propane.