Oakham Sends Three Spending Priorities to State Senator for Budget Amendments

OAKHAM -- February 17, 2026, Oakham Select Board votes to seek $307,000 in state budget amendments for fire gear, a library elevator, and solar-fight legal fees. Meeting Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to submit three spending priorities to state Senator Peter Durant's office for possible inclusion in the legislature's fiscal year 2027 budget: a $32,000 jaws-of-life unit for the fire department, a $75,000 library elevator replacement, and $200,000 in legal fees to support the town's ongoing fight against the BEST solar project, the last figure chosen, members said, to "get their attention." The governor's proposed budget would give Oakham zero dollars in Chapter 70 aid and $244,795 in unrestricted general government aid. The board also heard from financial advisor Claire that the town has left as much as $90,000 a year on the table by not fully using its Proposition 2½ levy limit, and approved use of the town's ball field and library parking lot for a Saturday candlelight vigil for a resident's recently murdered brother.