ELIZABETHTOWN -- A group of concerned citizens is questioning the amount of fuel used at the town-owned Cobble Hill Golf Course.

The citizens are particularly interested in the winter months, when the facility is not operated for golfing.

"We are all tightening our belts and finding ways to conserve -- everyone, that is, but the Elizabethtown town board," the group wrote in a letter to the Press-Republican, signed by Malcolm Martin, Harry Gough, Margaret Bartley, Penelope Mace, Susie Becker, David Mace, Chuck Rayfield, Greg Krieger, Kathy Rayfield and Donna Trinko.

They obtained copies of town fuel invoices through the Freedom of Information Law.

"These documents show a large amount of fuel being delivered during the winter months, when the golf course is closed," they said.

The figures show that 1,738 gallons of heating oil and kerosene and 1,159 gallons of unleaded gasoline were delivered between November 2006 and March 2007.

January to April 2008 invoices show 1,540 gallons of fuel oil and kerosene and 792 gallons of unleaded gas.

"As we worry about how to pay for gas, heat and taxes, it's reasonable to ask why our town is spending so much money on fuel. The Cobble Hill Golf Course is the pride of our community, but we can't afford to heat empty buildings and fuel parked vehicles.

"With the sky-rocketing price of gasoline, town officials must account for every gallon of fuel and let the taxpayers know what they are paying for."

Elizabethtown Supervisor Noel Merrihew, who assisted the group in obtaining the information, told the Press-Republican that although the Golf Course is closed for its primary purpose in the winter, several activities still take place.

One of the primary uses of the fuel is logging. The town budget earmarks $20,000 in gross revenue from the approximately 800 acres of forest the town owes. In the past, this has helped keep the tax levy down, Merrihew noted.

This includes about 100 face cords of firewood, which Elizabethtown residents may purchase. In addition to wood that is sold, the town utilizes some of the forest product for its projects.

The fuel is also used for a truck to collect town garbage, as well as for improving and maintaining the Cobble Hill trail system.

The club house is generally kept at 58 degrees, Merrihew said. However, it is used by many civic organizations, including the American Legion and its auxiliary, the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts and the Elizabethtown Youth Commission, and must be warmed up for that.

Merrihew indicated that in 2006 the town considered the cost of draining the pipes and winterizing the club house, as well as the wear and tear on an unheated structure in the winter. At that time, it was deemed plausible to keep the facility open.