Oakham boards weigh tax override, FY27 appointments; battery storage hearing continues this week
Oakham's town boards spent the final week of June preparing for the new fiscal year, with agendas covering warrants, appointments, and a possible Proposition 2½ override — though minutes for all six recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.
Selectmen: warrants, accounting, and FY27 appointments
The Board of Selectmen met three times between June 22 and June 29. Agendas show the board planned to approve multiple warrants — including payables warrant WR26-26, payroll warrant PR26-25, withholding warrants WTH26-24 and WTH26-25, special payroll warrant PR26-26B, and payable warrant WR27-01A, which included the Worcester Regional Retirement FY27 Assessment.
The board also planned votes on inserting Unipay advertisements into tax bills, hiring an outsourced accounting firm for FY27, authorizing town counsel for the Board of Health, and setting wiring inspector fees. A June 29 special meeting agenda included FY26 line-item transfers for the Board of Assessors and appointments for Fiscal Year 2027 covering employees, committees, commissions, and boards.
Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items passed.
Assessors: FY27 tax commitments and a resignation
The Board of Assessors met June 24 to discuss preliminary FY27 real estate and personal property commitments and warrants. The agenda also listed signing motor vehicle abatements, a camper valuation issue, an end-of-year budget review, a services quote from Patrick Harring (dollar amount not specified), and acceptance of a board member's resignation.
Finance Committee: override figure and outreach
On June 30, the Finance Committee planned to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary. The agenda included transfer requests — one for an FY2026 unemployment fund cost overrun and another from Conservation for an expert payment related to a BESS hearing. Members were also set to discuss setting a figure for a Proposition 2½ override and how to communicate it to residents, plus an Annual Town Meeting and FY2026 recap.
Library Trustees: lift replacement and Play Garden repairs
The Library Trustees met June 25 to discuss fundraising for a lift replacement and planning for KidsFest. The agenda also included water pump and tank replacement for the Play Garden and a public comment period.
Coming up
- **Board of Selectmen — July 6:** Votes scheduled on the 25EMPG contract for the police chief (signatory Maribel LaRange) and on use of wetland funds by the Conservation Commission. The board will also consider FY2027 appointments: Fire Chief Timothy Howe, COA appointee Judy Brousseau, and ConCom appointee Steve Labarre. Discussion items include a Special Town Meeting article, highway truck trade-ins, a laborer/truck driver recommendation, a traffic constable policy, and a hiring procedure policy.
- **Conservation Commission — July 7:** Continued public hearings for a single-family home on Robinson Road (applicant Cara Peck) and a 180 MW battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road (Moraga Storage, LLC). The commission may vote to close either hearing or continue both to August 4, 2026.
- **Board of Selectmen — July 8 (special meeting):** Opening and consideration of seasonal bids for the Highway Department. No other business is listed.
Earlier weeks
- week of 2026-06-29 — Oakham Officials to Vote on Police Contract, Weigh Battery Storage Project
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.