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.