Oakham Finance Committee Cuts Council on Aging Coordinator to Close $113,000 Budget Gap

OAKHAM — March 31, 2026 — Oakham Finance Committee eliminates Council on Aging coordinator post to help close a $113,000 fiscal 2027 budget gap. Meeting Tuesday night, the committee — chaired by Corey Packard and attended by Board of Selectmen Chair Von Epikowski and Vice Chair Michael Brunel as non-voting observers — informally removed an $18,000 part-time coordinator position from the Council on Aging budget, dropping the projected deficit from $113,000 to roughly $95,000. Council on Aging Chair Sue Adamski, who appeared in person to argue for the role, noted the council serves about 571 residents — one-third of Oakham's population — entirely through unpaid volunteers, at a cost she calculated as approximately $1.10 per senior per month. Packard said he saw "value in that position" but that the committee needed "to change that to a zero on the budget" given the fiscal pressure, adding the role would be a prime candidate for restoration if the town pursues a Proposition 2½ override. The Select Board has not yet voted on an override and is awaiting a final budget figure from regional School Superintendent Colleen Mutra, who has signaled further reductions are coming. The town's entire $212,000 in certified free cash is already committed to close part of the gap.