Oakham Select Board Authorizes Intervener Filing Against Proposed Battery Storage Project

OAKHAM — September 29, 2025 — Oakham Select Board votes to fight battery storage project, approves $6,736 insurance transfer. The board voted 2-0-1 at its September 29 meeting to authorize town counsel George Bucci of KP Law to file a formal intervener petition in a pending battery energy storage siting proceeding before the October 30 deadline, with Select Board member Dennis designated as point of contact. The board also unanimously approved a $6,736 reserve fund transfer to cover a fiscal year 2026 insurance shortfall caused by inaccurate broker figures and an unaddressed gap carried over from fiscal year 2024-2025; Finance Committee Chair Corey Packard confirmed his panel will take up the transfer at an October 7 meeting. In a 2-0-1 vote, the board authorized letters to U.S. Senators Markey and Warren, state Senator Durant, and state Representatives Bertheum and McGovern asking for their public support at the battery project hearing. Town administrator Claire Hendra recommended the board pursue an exit clause in the expired elementary school building lease rather than a standard renewal, but the board took no vote, instead directing staff to consult town counsel on feasibility.