• Oakham voters reject requested Quabbin school funds

• By Bradford L. Miner
  Correspondent

  
  Posted Jun. 13, 2016 at 11:01 PM
  
  

  OAKHAM – More than 80 annual town meeting voters approved a $3.49 million budget recommended by the Finance Committee, a sum that did not include the $2,169,140 requested for the Quabbin Regional School District assessment.

  Voters approved the $1,899,745 the Finance Committee proposed, representing a 2.5 percent increase over the town’s current contribution, but $269,395 less than the district’s requested assessment.

  Oakham became the first of the five district towns to reject its share of the district’s $34 million fiscal 2017 budget.

  On June 7, Hubbardston voters approved a $4,276,871 assessment and by a vote of 84-80 approved an additional $280,158 toward its assessment, contingent on the approval of Proposition 2½ override vote Tuesday.

  Hardwick will vote on its share of the Quabbin budget June 18; New Braintree, June 20, and Barre, June 21.

  Claire Hendra, Finance Committee member, told voters that Oakham was underfunded and would most likely face a Proposition 2½ override during the current fiscal year.

  “If not this year, then certainly next year,” she said, noting the town ranked among the bottom 6 percent in new growth to increase the annual levy limit.

  The town’s operating budget for the coming fiscal year is $1,327,974, virtually the same as current spending levels.

  Voters also approved a $45,178 lease payment for the Fire Department’s pumper truck; $7,500 for the Assessors’ Triennial Revaluation Stabilization Fund; and $2,750 for tree trimming at Pine Grove Cemetery.