Oakham public meetings in 2025

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold a Notice of Intent (NOI) hearing regarding a proposed building lot. The commission will also discuss wetland by-law proposals.

• NOI hearing for Joseph Amidio for new building lot on site 1, Old Turnpike Rd.
• Discussion of wetland by-law proposals

Board of Assessors

The Oakham Board of Assessors will approve the September 23 meeting minutes and sign several pending items, including payroll, bills, MV abatements, and a Certificate of Abatement for Caruso. The board will also discuss the FY27 budget for Vision software and the status of the RRG staffing contract for the Assessor's Office. Additional old‑business items include the year‑end budget and Chapter Lien Review status. The meeting will conclude with scheduling the next session for November 4.

• Approve minutes of September 23
• Sign payroll and bills
• Sign MV abatements
• Review FY27 Vision software budget bill
• Review Assessor Office staffing – RRG contract status

Conservation Commission

The Oakham Conservation Commission will hold a work meeting on October 14, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 2 Coldbrook Rd. The commission will review the process and procedure for the BESS program scheduled for October 16, 2025 and consider any position they may take. No decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Review process and procedure for the BESS program scheduled for Oct 16 2025
• Identify any position the commission may have regarding the BESS program

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review actual spending versus the budget for FY2026. The body will also discuss the votes required for withdrawals from Special Stabilization Accounts based on DLS guidance.

• FY2026 YTD Spending, Actual vs Budget
• Special Town Meeting recap
• Discussion on DLS regarding votes for Special Stabilization Account withdrawals

Conservation Commission

The Oakham Conservation Commission will continue a hearing on a request to remove three trees at 19 Oak Lne. It will discuss a notice of intent for a new building lot at 1 Old Turnpike Rd, including abutter notification and scheduling of a hearing. The public session will include new business on wetland-by-law proposals and old business on the annual town report.

• Hearing continuation for Susan Baldwin's request to remove three trees at 19 Oak Lne
• NOI discussion for Joseph Amidio's new building lot at 1 Old Turnpike Rd, with abutter notification and upcoming hearing
• New business: proposals to amend wetland-by-law
• Old business: presentation of the annual town report
• Welcome of new commission member Shawn Seeley

Board of Selectmen

The Oakham Board of Selectmen will approve routine warrants and meeting minutes. They will consider a request to lower the speed limit on Adams Road from 40 mph to 30 mph. A possible vote on an OSC lease agreement and on a town counsel authorization will also be discussed, along with appointment procedures and a reserve transfer request.

• Request to reduce speed limit on Adams Road from 40 mph to 30 mph
• Possible vote on OSC lease agreement
• Possible vote on town counsel authorization
• Appointment procedures
• Reserve transfer request (MIIA Insurance)

Board of Health

The Oakham Board of Health will hold a public session followed by new business. Commissioners will hear a noise complaint concerning a proposed battery storage park. They will also receive updates from the Leicester Coalition and discuss issues related to sharps containers.

• Noise complaint regarding proposed battery storage park
• Leicester Coalition updates
• Discussion of sharps containers

Board of Assessors

The Oakham Board of Assessors will discuss several agenda items, including a request to deny a late‑filed exemption, the start of revaluation inspections, and a proposed increase in the valuation of state‑owned land. The meeting will also include a report on year‑end accounting and budget status. The agenda concludes with adjournment.

• Consider denial of a late‑filed exemption request
• Review item listed as “3 ABC/ FOL”
• Begin revaluation inspections
• Propose increase in valuation of state‑owned land
• Report on year‑end accounting and budget status

Planning Board

The Oakham Planning Board will consider the 358 Coldbrook Road project submitted by Rhynland Energy and Moraga Energy Storage, with the original and a copy filed with the Town Clerk. The board will also note that there has been no progress on the Longview Estates Roads acceptance.

• Longview Estates Roads acceptance – no progress to date
• 358 Coldbrook Road energy storage proposal submitted by Rhynland Energy / MoragaEnergyStorage.com; original and copy received by Town Clerk

Council on Aging

The Oakham Council on Aging will meet to approve minutes, review spending on donations and lawn games, and plan for a workshop and holiday gift card procurement.

• Approval of August 8, 2025 minutes
• Review of donations account spending
• Review of Lawn Games/Barbeque on 9/05
• Planning for Tim Howe workshop
• Planning for holiday gift card procurement

Board of Selectmen

The Oakham Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting on September 11, 2025. The agenda includes an interview with Treasurer/Collector Jakob Voelker. The meeting also lists slots for new and old business but provides no specific items.

• Interview with Treasurer/Collector Jakob Voelker

Finance Committee

The Oakham Finance Committee will compare FY2026 year‑to‑date spending with the budget and discuss the town accountant's report. It will evaluate the Pathfinder assessment against tuition revenue and consider funding requests for a highway department truck. The committee will also examine options to pay down debt for the municipal building and fire truck, as well as legal expenses for the BESS Facility and the treasurer's salary shortfall.

• FY2026 year‑to‑date spending: actual versus budget
• Pathfinder assessment compared to tuition revenue
• Pay down debt for the municipal building and fire truck
• Request for funding a highway department truck
• Review of BESS Facility legal expenses and treasurer salary deficit

Finance Committee

The Oakham Finance Committee will meet to review year-to-date spending, discuss debt paydowns for the Municipal Building and Fire truck, and address funding requests for the Highway department. The meeting will also cover the Pathfinder assessment and potential salary adjustments for the Treasurer.

• FY2026 YTD Spending review
• Debt paydown for Municipal Building and Fire truck
• Highway department truck funding request
• Pathfinder assessment comparison
• Treasurer salary budget vs deficit analysis

Board of Selectmen

The Board will discuss the FY27 budget process, including preparation for a possible FY27 tax override and funding of the operating budget. They will also set the date for the Special Town Meeting and vote on opening and closing the STM warrant. No other specific items are listed.

• Prepare for possible FY27 tax override
• Review FY27 budget process and operating‑budget funding
• Set date for Special Town Meeting (STM)
• Vote on opening and closing the STM warrant

Board of Assessors

The Oakham Board of Assessors will review motor vehicle abatements, the April monthly list of exemptions, and a residential (RE) abatement. It will also examine the New Growth and Overlay plan and discuss town‑meeting warrant articles for submission. The agenda notes a candidates night on May 7 and invites public questions to be sent to the library.

• Review Motor Vehicle Abatements
• Review April monthly list exemptions
• Discuss RE (residential) abatement
• Review New Growth and Overlay plan
• Discuss town‑meeting warrant articles for submission

The Board approved the minutes from the August 12 meeting. It approved vendor invoices for Patrick Harring, RRG and Diane Peterson for payment. Motor vehicle abatements were reviewed and approved. The recommendation to approve the Caruso property abatement after inspection was also approved.

• Approved August 12 meeting minutes
• Approved payment of vendor invoices for Patrick Harring, RRG and Diane Peterson
• Approved motor vehicle abatements
• Approved vendor recommendation for Caruso property abatement

Planning Board

The Planning Board will meet to discuss new and old business. This includes a project at 358 Coldbrook Road involving Rhynland Energy and MoragaEnergyStorage.com, and the status of road acceptance for Longview Estates.

• 358 Coldbrook Road: Rhynland Energy / MoragaEnergyStorage.com
• Longview Estates Roads acceptance

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors will meet to address tax classification. No other specific items are listed on the agenda.

• Tax classification

The Board approved the July 21 minutes and several prior meeting minutes. It voted to change regular meeting nights to Tuesdays to avoid conflict with the Selectmen’s meeting. Vendor invoices for Patrick Harring and RRG were approved for payment, as were motor‑vehicle abatements and preliminary RE & PP warrants and commitments. A revised FY25 real‑estate tax bill was sent to Caruso.

• Approved July 21 meeting minutes
• Approved prior minutes for 6/30, 5/13, 4/28, 3/3, 2/12 and 1/13
• Voted to change Board meeting nights to Tuesdays
• Approved payment of vendor invoices for Patrick Harring and RRG
• Approved motor‑vehicle abatements
• Approved preliminary RE & PP warrants and commitments (June 12) and mailed bills
• Sent revised FY25 real‑estate tax bill to Caruso

Board of Assessors

The Board approved the August 12 meeting minutes. Vendor invoices for Patrick Harring, RRG, and Diane Peterson were approved for payment. Motor vehicle abatements were reviewed and approved. The vendor's recommendation on the Caruso property abatement was approved.

• Approved August 12 meeting minutes
• Approved payment of vendor invoices for Patrick Harring, RRG, and Diane Peterson
• Approved motor vehicle abatements
• Approved vendor recommendation on Caruso property abatement

Board of Selectmen

The Board unanimously approved several warrants, the May meeting minutes, and permits for the Sober in the Sun Festival, including a raffle permit through Aug. 31, 2025 and an entertainment permit for Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2025. They also unanimously approved increasing the Treasurer/Collector’s office hours to 24–30 hours per week for several weeks and adopted financial policies #11‑15 with minor wording corrections. An appointment to the Conservation Commission failed for lack of a second, and discussion of the municipal fiber grant was tabled.

• Approved warrants (WR 25‑28, WR 26‑02, PR 26‑01, WTH 26‑01, WRR 26‑01) unanimously
• Approved May 20 and May 27, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously
• Approved raffle permit for Sober in the Sun Festival through Aug 31 2025 unanimously
• Approved entertainment permit for Sober in the Sun Festival Aug 29‑Sept 1 2025 unanimously
• Approved increase of Treasurer/Collector office hours to 24–30 hours/week unanimously
• Approved financial policies #11‑15 with corrections unanimously
• Conservation Commission appointment of Nick Killick failed (no second)
• Municipal fiber grant discussion tabled for future update

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen approved the FY25 year‑end line transfer requests after the Finance Committee raised no objections. They unanimously approved an encumbrance for postage. The Board also agreed to monitor a $5,400 overrun in the Town Clerk’s salary line for the FY26 budget.

• Approved FY25 year‑end line transfers (no objections)
• Approved postage encumbrance (unanimous)
• Agreed to monitor $5,400 Town Clerk salary overrun

Board of Selectmen

The Selectmen approved several warrant items and the FY26 seasonal highway bid awards, both unanimously. They appointed Karen Harper and Patrick Mardirosian as Records Officers for one‑year terms. The Board approved an updated job description and hourly rate increase for the Children’s Program Associate, and accepted a motion to reduce the Fire Chief’s FY26 salary increase to match the 2% staff raise. Spencer voted for Oakham to join the Central Regional Emergency Communication Center, and a $473,790 grant was noted for equipment upgrades.

• Approved WR25-27, WR26-01, PR25-26 payables and withholding (unanimous)
• Approved FY26 seasonal highway bid awards as recommended (unanimous)
• Appointed Karen Harper as Records Officer for Town Clerk’s Office (1‑year term)
• Appointed Patrick Mardirosian as Records Officer for Highway Department (1‑year term)
• Approved updated job description and hourly rate increase to $18.00 for Sharon Corey
• Approved motion to reduce Fire Chief Tim Howe’s FY26 salary increase to 2% raise
• Spencer voted to join the Central Regional Emergency Communication Center
• Accepted email declining vacant Board of Health seat; vacancy remains open

Board of Selectmen

The Board voted unanimously to engage Sara Hunter of Mass MuniFin for outsourced Treasurer/Collector services at $175 per hour, with a month‑to‑month contract and 14‑day termination notice. The motion to adjourn the meeting also passed unanimously. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved outsourcing Treasurer/Collector services to Mass MuniFin (unanimous)
• Approved motion to adjourn the meeting (unanimous)

Board of Selectmen

The Selectmen unanimously approved the town's warrants, except for a firearms‑training item pending review. They approved the minutes for March‑May 2025, with one abstention. Annual committee and commission appointments were confirmed, and Tina Lindsey was appointed Animal Control Officer (2‑1 vote) while Tracy Eaves‑Prior was appointed Assistant Animal Control Officer.

• Approved Warrants WR 25‑26 (excluding firearms training) and PR 25‑25 payroll items (unanimous)
• Approved minutes for March‑May 2025; Dennis Bergin abstained
• Approved annual committee and commission appointments (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Tina Lindsey as Animal Control Officer (2‑1)
• Approved appointment of Tracy Eaves‑Prior as Assistant Animal Control Officer
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Board of Selectmen

The Selectmen approved several financial items, including a $6,873.65 police budget adjustment and a $1,400 line‑item transfer for street‑light lighting. They appointed a volunteer minute taker and voted to send a renewal notice to the Police Chief under existing contract terms. All votes were unanimous except the minutes approval, which had one abstention.

• Approved warrants (WR 25‑25 Payables, PR 25‑24 Payroll, WH 25‑24 Withholdings) – vote 3‑0
• Approved February 18 and 24, 2025 meeting minutes – vote 2‑0, 1 abstention
• Approved $6,873.65 police department budget revision for Animal Control Officer – vote 3‑0
• Appointed Lucy Tessnau as volunteer minute taker – vote 3‑0
• Approved $1,400 transfer from BOS Web & IT to BOS Streetlights & Electricity – vote 3‑0
• Voted to send notice to Police Chief renewing current contract, with negotiations slated for Feb 2026 – vote 3‑0
• Adjourned meeting – vote 3‑0

Board of Assessors

The Oakham Board of Assessors met on June 2, 2025 and swore in new member Susan Turnbull. Property owner Kathleen Usher withdrew her RE abatement request after confirming the assessment. The board approved vendor invoices for payment and scheduled reviews of several items for the next meeting.

• Vendor invoices approved for payment
• 3 ABC and FOL items scheduled for review at next meeting
• Year‑end accountant forms scheduled for review at next meeting

Board of Selectmen

The Selectmen unanimously approved several warrants, appointed a special municipal employee, and adopted a resolution for the proposed Battery Energy Storage System on Colebrook Road with corrected language. They also approved Financial Policies 1‑10 and agreed to send a letter opposing the battery project to state agencies. No vote was taken on hiring per‑diem support for the Treasurer/Collector office.

• Approved warrants WR 25-24 Payables, PR 25-23 Payroll, WTH 25-23 Withholdings (all in favor)
• Appointed Dennis Bergin as Special Municipal Employee (all in favor)
• Adopted Battery Energy Storage System resolution with corrections (all in favor)
• Approved Financial Policies 1‑10 (all in favor)
• Agreed to finalize and distribute letter opposing battery project to state agencies (all in favor)
• Scheduled highway department bid opening for June 26, 2025 (informational)
• Discussed hiring per‑diem support for Treasurer/Collector at $40/hr; no vote taken
• Adjourned meeting (all in favor)

Board of Assessors

The Board approved vendor invoices for payment and approved the motor vehicle abatements as presented. It denied a veteran exemption request for a late filer and sent a denial letter. The Board also noted ongoing property valuation reviews and other administrative items.

• Approved vendor invoices for payment
• Approved motor vehicle abatements as presented
• Denied veteran exemption for late filer (letter sent)

Board of Selectmen

The Board approved three warrants: WR 2523 Payables, PR 2522 Payroll, and WH 2522 Withholdings. They voted unanimously to hire Marissa Salvari for Town Election work at $15 per hour. The Board also entered executive session, unanimously, to discuss non‑union personnel contract negotiations. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved WR 2523 Payables warrant (unanimous)
• Approved PR 2522 Payroll warrant (unanimous)
• Approved WH 2522 Withholdings warrant (unanimous)
• Approved hiring Marissa Salvari for Town Election work at $15/hr (unanimous)
• Entered executive session to discuss non-union personnel contract negotiations (unanimous)

Board of Selectmen

The Board voted unanimously to re‑open the ATM warrant, add two additional warrants, and close it on May 12, 2025 at noon. It approved the list of surplus town equipment for posting on Municibid. The Board also voted unanimously to designate the BOS Administrative Assistant as the voting representative for district dispatch.

• Re‑opened ATM warrant, added two warrants, set closure for May 12, 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved surplus equipment list for Municibid listing (unanimous)
• Authorized BOS Administrative Assistant as voting representative for district dispatch (unanimous)

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors approved vendor invoices for payment. It approved motor vehicle abatements as presented. One late personal exemption filing was denied. The board directed staff to investigate outstanding taxes on 358 Coldbrook Road and request a tax title list.

• Approved vendor invoices for payment
• Approved motor vehicle abatements as presented
• Denied one late personal exemption filing
• Reviewed new growth and overlay process with clerk and vendor
• Directed investigation of outstanding taxes on 358 Coldbrook Road and request a tax title list
• Printed all chapter land cards for review of acreage, liens, and use codes

Board of Selectmen

The Board approved several financial warrants and past meeting minutes, signed the 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant, and approved FY26 contracts including a CPA agreement and a regional 911 dispatch agreement. It also approved the inclusion of articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. Finally, the Board voted 2‑0 (1 abstention) to write and send a letter to state officials opposing the proposed battery energy storage system.

• Approved WR 2522 Payables, PR 2521 Payroll, and WH 2521 Withholdings
• Approved minutes from the Jan 13, Jan 21, Feb 3, and Feb 10, 2025 meetings
• Signed the 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant
• Approved CPA contract with Eric A. Kinsherf
• Approved Regional 911 Dispatch Agreement under M.G.L. Ch. 6A Sec. 18P–18B
• Approved inclusion of articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting
• Voted 2‑0 (1 abstention) to write and send a letter opposing the battery storage project
• Approved FY26 contracts and agreements

Board of Selectmen

The Selectmen approved two financial warrants and formally opposed the Battery Energy Storage Project, notifying the DCR. They unanimously adopted a $12 per $1,000 building permit fee for energy storage systems and approved a $325,000 Chapter 90 equipment purchase with related trade‑ins. The Annual Town Meeting date was set for June 24, 2025, and the meeting warrant was opened and closed for a specific period. Discussions on email licensing and road‑acceptance paperwork were noted but no decisions were made.

• Approved warrants WR-2521 (payables) and PR-2520 (payroll) (approved)
• Opposed the proposed Battery Energy Storage Project and notified DCR (opposition)
• Unanimously approved building permit fee of $12 per $1,000 for energy storage systems (unanimous)
• Unanimously approved $325,000 Chapter 90 equipment purchase and related trade‑ins (unanimous)
• Unanimously set Annual Town Meeting for June 24, 2025 at Oakham Elementary School (unanimous)
• Voted to open the Annual Town Meeting warrant on April 15, 2025 and close it on April 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM (approved)
• Discussed consolidating committee email accounts; decision pending IT input (pending)
• Planning Board awaiting road‑acceptance paperwork; no action taken (no decision)

Board of Selectmen

The Board expressed unanimous opposition to the Rhineland Energy battery storage proposal and asked KP Law to prepare legal arguments. It decided not to cut small committee stipends and ordered the $18,269 remaining from the fire‑truck purchase to be returned to the stabilization fund. A final vote on the building‑permit fee schedule is scheduled for April 14, 2025.

• Select Board expressed unanimous opposition to the Rhineland Energy battery storage project
• Board requested KP Law to prepare legal arguments regarding the battery storage project
• Decided not to reduce small committee stipends
• Returned $18,269 from fire‑truck purchase to the stabilization fund
• Scheduled final vote on the building‑permit fee schedule for April 14, 2025
• Building Inspector Duffy to submit a written proposal on battery storage fee classification by the next meeting

Board of Assessors

The Board approved vendor invoices for payment. Motor vehicle abatements were approved as presented, with one abatement withdrawn and another adjusted after inspection. The personal exemption list was reviewed and approved. A revised real‑estate billing will be issued for a building not on the tax rolls, with a warrant and commitment signed.

• Approved vendor invoices for payment
• Approved motor vehicle abatements as presented
• Withdrew one abatement and adjusted another after inspection
• Reviewed and approved personal exemption list
• Authorized issuance of revised real‑estate billing and signed warrant

Board of Selectmen

The Board unanimously voted to reject the regional school agreement’s proposed three‑year rolling average assessment method. It approved new wiring inspection fees effective April 1 2025, increased the Assessors’ expense account by $716, and authorized signing a letter supporting partial vehicle‑access restoration on conservation land. The Board also approved disposing of an old street sweeper for $400 and adopted a voluntary “Blue 2020 Premium Plan” for employees at no cost to the town, while approving routine warrants.

• Unanimously rejected 3‑year rolling average proposal in school agreement
• Approved new wiring inspection fees effective April 1 2025
• Increased Assessors expense account by $716 (total $8,580)
• Approved signing letter supporting partial vehicle‑access restoration
• Authorized disposal of old street sweeper for $400
• Approved offering voluntary “Blue 2020 Premium Plan” to employees at no town cost
• Approved warrants WR 2520 Payables, PR 2519 Payroll, WH 2519 Withholding

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on March 26, 2025 to review FY2026 department budgets and discuss a projected shortfall of $300,000‑$470,000. No formal budget actions were taken. The meeting was adjourned with all members in favor.

• Adjourned (all in favor)