Oakham Finance Committee Unanimously Approves $5.16 Million FY27 Budget

OAKHAM -- June 4, 2026, Oakham Finance Committee approves $5.16 million FY27 budget on a margin of roughly $3,000. The committee voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a total fiscal year 2027 budget of $5,159,443.53 and to recommend all 17 annual town meeting warrant articles, including a $75,000 stabilization fund transfer to cover ongoing legal costs tied to a contested BATS facility. Chair Corey Packard outlined cuts across nearly every town department, the highway budget down more than 33 percent, the police department down more than 14 percent, and the historical commission, parks and recreation, and moderator's stipend zeroed out entirely. Member Claire warned the committee plainly: "We closed the budget this year by the skin of our teeth. In my book, there is no other alternative but a Prop 2½ override." Separately, the committee confirmed a $75,754 obligation for a student's vocational school tuition and transportation, a new and unexpected cost arising from a Chapter 74 enrollment dispute, after member Claire's conversations with a regional state official revealed that Massachusetts has introduced a lottery system for vocational school admissions this year.