Oakham panels settle on $550,000 override ask

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of August 31, 2026

Oakham's Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee coalesce around a $550,000 Proposition 2½ override after a six-year budget forecast. Meeting jointly August 31, finance officials said the figure would sustain the town's budget through fiscal year 2032 without restoring previously cut positions, including a Council on Aging activity director and historical commission funding. One member warned, "we go belly up because there's nothing left to cut," if the override fails, citing a part-time police department and a two-person highway crew as the town's remaining budget.

Officials estimated a $460,000 home would pay about $172 more per quarter. No vote was taken on the figure; the boards plan multiple public hearings before finalizing ballot language, targeting a special town meeting near the end of October. The Board of Selectmen separately approved a one-day beer and wine license for a September 26 fire association fundraiser, presented by Jake Monoclo of 237 Ferry Road.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,865 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of August 31, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.