Oakham meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Oakham boards weigh battery storage, budget forecasts; Prop 2½ override decision ahead

No final votes were recorded at Oakham's recent board meetings, which were largely agenda-setting sessions. The most consequential decisions are still ahead: the Finance Committee is set to decide on a Proposition 2½ override amount on Aug. 26, and the Board of Health will hold a public hearing on a cease-and-desist order for a Coldbrook Road property on Aug. 27.

Battery storage at 358 Coldbrook Road

The Conservation Commission met twice this week — on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 — to consider a Notice of Intent filed by Moraga Storage, LLC for a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0157). The agenda included a possible vote on the Notice of Intent, but minutes have not yet been published, so no outcome is available.

Budget and Finance Committee

The Finance Committee held working meetings on Aug. 12 and Aug. 18 to review long-term budget forecasts through 2033. Members examined cost information from the Select Board, Board of Assessors, Pathfinder Regional School District, Quabbin Regional School District, Fire Department, and Council on Aging, and identified pending information from Treasury, Parks and Recreation, the Accountant, and the Tree Warden. On Aug. 18, they reviewed the Budget Forecast Spreadsheet, considered comments from the Town Accountant, and ran preliminary numbers for a proposed Prop 2½ amount. No final decisions were listed.

Board of Selectmen

The Select Board held a work meeting on Aug. 13 to discuss the Town Hall Feasibility Study with representatives from Weston & Sampson, with a possible vote on the study. No result is available. At a regular meeting on Aug. 17, the board was scheduled to vote on appointing part-time police officer Steven Ingman, adding new members to the BESS Committee, and approving warrants WR27-04, PR27-03, WTH27-03, and special warrant WR27-03A. The board also discussed moderator's appointments for Finance Committee members and a custodian vacancy job posting. Minutes are not yet published.

Health and safety

The Board of Health met on Aug. 13 to discuss updates on a landfill inspection at 201 South Road, a rodent infestation at 21 Coldbrook Road, and an enforcement order for ZOVL Properties LLC at 358 Coldbrook Road. They also reviewed the FY28 budget forecast, permit fees, and a vaccine clinic offer from CVS/LRPHC. No decisions were reported.

Other boards

The Library Trustees met on Aug. 13 to welcome new Trustee Racheal Bellemer, sign the Annual Report Information Survey for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and discuss a walnut tree, sand wasps, heating/cooling balance, and fundraising for a lift replacement. The Council on Aging met Aug. 14 to discuss new laptops, a grill, a popup canopy, and planning for the Labor Day barbecue on Sept. 4. The Board of Assessors met Aug. 18 to handle motor vehicle abatements, a small commercial exemption comparison, veteran's exemptions, a Hapgood Road lot split, and a continued Chapter Land application. The Planning Board met Aug. 18 with only procedural items listed.

Coming up

• **Finance Committee** — Aug. 26, 2026: Review and potentially decide on a Prop 2½ override amount and assumptions, and plan next steps including meeting with the Select Board and scheduling presentations to the town.
• **Board of Health** — Aug. 27, 2026: Public hearing to issue an Order to Cease and Desist against ZOVL Properties LLC at 358 Coldbrook Road.

Oakham roundup: Battery storage, Town Hall study top recent agendas

Over the past two weeks, Oakham town boards held multiple meetings, but no minutes or votes have been published yet. The most significant item under discussion is a proposed 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road, which appeared before both the Conservation Commission and the Board of Health.

Battery storage and property concerns at 358 Coldbrook Road

The Conservation Commission met on Aug. 4, Aug. 11, and Aug. 12 to consider a Notice of Intent filed by Moraga Storage, LLC for a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0157). No vote has been published. At its Aug. 4 meeting, the commission also took up an Order of Conditions for Tara Peck’s single-family home and driveway on Robinson Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0156).

The Board of Health met Aug. 6 to discuss enforcement at 358 Coldbrook Road regarding ZOVL Properties, LLC, and also discussed an illegal landfill at that address. At its Aug. 13 meeting, the board received updates on the ZOVL Properties enforcement order, a landfill inspection at 201 South Road, and a rodent infestation at 21 Coldbrook Road. The board also reviewed the FY28 budget forecast, permit fees, and a vaccine clinic offer from CVS/LRPHC.

Town Hall feasibility study

The Board of Selectmen met Aug. 13 with representatives from Weston & Sampson to discuss the Town Hall Feasibility Study. A possible vote on the study was on the agenda, but no result has been published.

Budget forecasting

The Finance Committee met Aug. 11 to review cost information for department budget forecasts through 2033. Members examined costs to date and projected inflation rates, using input from the Select Board, Board of Assessors, Pathfinder Regional School District, Quabbin Regional School District, Fire Department, and Council on Aging. They identified pending information from Treasury, Parks and Recreation, Accountant, and Tree Warden.

Other items

At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Board of Selectmen considered appointments for Town Clerk, Library Trustee, Police Officer, and two Traffic Constables, as well as a possible Finance Committee bylaw change. The board also discussed a request for the Highway Superintendent to travel to Maine for truck configuration, the Verizon Water Contract, and resignations from Ross Sudar (Police Dept.) and Christine Toomey (Custodian).

The Library Trustees met Aug. 13, welcoming newly appointed Trustee Racheal Bellemer. They reviewed and signed the Annual Report Information Survey for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, discussed a walnut tree and sand wasps, reviewed heating/cooling system balance between floors, and reviewed plans for fundraising to replace the lift.

The Council on Aging met Aug. 14 to discuss new laptops for SenCen, a new grill, a popup canopy for events, revisiting the senior fitness program, and planning for the Labor Day Barbecue on Sept. 4.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17 – Board of Selectmen:** Vote on part-time police officer appointment for Steven Ingman, BESS Committee members, warrants (WR27-04, PR27-03, WTH27-03, special WR27-03A), moderator’s appointments for Finance Committee members and bylaw, and custodian vacancy job posting.
• **Aug. 18 – Finance Committee:** Review budget forecasts through 2033, including comments from the Town Accountant and preliminary numbers for the proposed Prop 2½ amount.
• **Aug. 18 – Planning Board:** Regular meeting, mostly procedural, with no major items listed.
• **Aug. 18 – Board of Assessors:** Motor vehicle abatements, small commercial exemption comparison, veteran’s exemptions, Hapgood Road lot split, and continued Chapter Land application.

Oakham boards consider battery storage, landfill, appointments

Over the past two weeks, Oakham's Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Board of Selectmen, and Finance Committee met to consider a proposed battery storage facility, an illegal landfill, town appointments, and long-term budget planning. None of the meetings have published minutes yet, so no votes or decisions are confirmed.

Conservation Commission weighs battery storage and home project

The Conservation Commission met twice, on July 28 and August 4. Both agendas included a Notice of Intent for a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system proposed by Moraga Storage, LLC at 358 Coldbrook Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0157). The August 4 meeting also included a vote on an Order of Conditions for Tara Peck's single-family home and driveway on Robinson Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0156). The commission was scheduled to deliberate and potentially vote on these items.

Board of Health discusses Coldbrook Road landfill and enforcement

The Board of Health held two meetings on August 6. The first was a regular meeting to discuss an illegal landfill at 358 Coldbrook Road. The second was to discuss and possibly enforce action at the same address regarding ZOVL Properties, LLC. Both meetings were open to the public in person or via Zoom, following the removal of the Governor's emergency order.

Board of Selectmen considers appointments, bylaw change, and travel

On August 3, the Board of Selectmen had a possible vote on a Finance Committee bylaw change, appointments for Town Clerk, Library Trustee, Police Officer, and two Traffic Constables, and a vote on Highway Superintendent travel to Maine for truck configuration. The agenda also included discussion of the Verizon Water Contract and resignations from Ross Sudar (Police Dept.) and Christine Toomey (Custodian).

Finance Committee works on budget forecasting

The Finance Committee held a working session on July 28 to review progress on gathering cost information for department budget forecasts through 2033. The agenda included potential new assignments for committee members on cost data gathering. The summary notes this was a procedural and planning session with no votes on spending or contracts.

Coming up

The Finance Committee will meet again on August 11 to review budget information from the Select Board, Board of Assessors, Pathfinder Regional School District, Quabbin Regional School District, Fire Department, and Council on Aging. Members will also identify pending information from Treasury, Parks and Recreation, Accountant, and Tree Warden. The meeting is listed as an upcoming agenda item.

Oakham Finance Committee delays Prop 2½ override election; Conservation Commission set to vote on 180-MW battery project

The Oakham Finance Committee determined at its July 21 meeting that it will not be ready for a September 1 election on a Proposition 2½ override, concluding that a separate election date will be needed. The committee also approved its July 14 meeting minutes by unanimous vote.

Finance Committee

The July 21 meeting included assignments of cost research to individual members for several town boards. Vin Piacci was assigned research on the Library and Board of Health. Don Haapakoski was assigned the Select Board and Town Clerk. Clare Hendra was assigned the Council on Aging and Assessors. The committee discussed budget projections, school assessment penalties, and department staffing needs.

A follow-up working session on July 28 focused on gathering cost information to forecast department budgets through 2033, with potential new assignments for committee members. No votes on spending or contracts were taken at that session.

Board of Selectmen (July 20)

The Board of Selectmen's July 20 agenda included several items scheduled for votes, though minutes have not yet been published. Agenda items included an outsourcing services contract with Bishop & Associates, a transportation contract with J.P. McCarthy & Sons Bus Company of Norfolk, and appointments of Kara Hartung as part-time police officer and David Brunelle as traffic constable. The board was also set to consider seasonal highway bids for the Highway Superintendent, use of wetland funds, and a feasibility study for a new town hall. Warrant approvals and a police department employee resignation were also listed.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held multiple sessions on two pending projects. A continued public hearing addressed a Notice of Intent for a single-family home on Robinson Road filed by Cara Peck of Holden, with the possibility of closing the hearing or continuing it into August. The commission also discussed funding for expert consultant services and establishing a peer-review procedure under M.G.L. c.44 §53G.

A separate continued public hearing addressed Moraga Storage, LLC's Notice of Intent for a 180-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System at 358 Coldbrook Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0157). Commissioners could vote to close the hearing or continue it to a mutually agreed-upon date in August. A July 28 meeting was scheduled to deliberate and potentially vote on the same project.

Other Boards

The Planning Board met July 21 at Oakham Town Hall, 2 Coldbrook Road, with public access in person and via Zoom (Meeting ID: 690 798 7749). The agenda listed "New business" and "Old business" without specific details.

The Library Trustees welcomed newly elected Trustee Dawn Thistle on July 22 and discussed fund-raising for a planned lift replacement as well as budgeting for fiscal year 2027. The board planned to request that the Board of Selectmen appoint Racheal for an open seat.

The Board of Assessors met July 23 to sign payroll, bills, and motor vehicle abatements and commitments, and to discuss a Chapter Land application and scheduling a meeting with Roy Bishop.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 3 — Board of Selectmen:** Possible vote on a Finance Committee bylaw change; appointments for Town Clerk, Library Trustee, Police Officer, and two Traffic Constables; vote on Highway Superintendent travel to Maine for truck configuration; discussion of Verizon Water Contract; and resignations of Ross Sudar (Police Dept.) and Christine Toomey (Custodian).
• **Aug. 4 — Conservation Commission:** Votes scheduled on an Order of Conditions for Tara Peck's single-family home and driveway on Robinson Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0156) and on the Notice of Intent for Moraga Storage, LLC's 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road (MassDEP File No. 252-0157).
• **Aug. 6 — Board of Health:** Discussion of an illegal landfill at 358 Coldbrook Road.
• **Aug. 11 — Finance Committee:** Working meeting reviewing budget information from the Select Board, Board of Assessors, Pathfinder Regional School District, Quabbin Regional School District, Fire Department, and Council on Aging, with pending information from Treasury, Parks and Recreation, Accountant, and Tree Warden.

Oakham Council on Aging appoints two new members; other boards met on police, wetlands, and health

Oakham's Council on Aging appointed two new members and approved a small reimbursement at its July 10 meeting, the only board with published minutes from the past two weeks. Several other town boards met or were scheduled to meet, but their minutes have not yet been published.

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging approved the appointment of Joyce Brousseau and Edna Holloway to the council, both by unanimous vote. The board also approved its May 8, 2026 minutes unanimously and approved reimbursement of $17 for shade hardware, unanimously. Members voted to send flowers and a gift card to retiring member Jan Pierce, funded through private contributions.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen had two meetings on its agenda. On July 6, the board was scheduled to vote on the 25EMPG contract for the police chief, with Maribel LaRange listed as signatory, and on the use of wetland funds by the Conservation Commission. The agenda also included approval of FY2027 appointments for Fire Chief Timothy Howe, COA appointee Judy Brousseau, and Conservation Commission member Steve Labarre. Discussion items covered a Special Town Meeting article dated 10/25 and highway truck trade-ins, with possible votes on a laborer/truck driver recommendation and a traffic constable policy. Minutes are not yet published.

On July 8, the board held a special meeting to open and consider seasonal bids for the Highway Department. No other business was listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met July 7 to resume two continued public hearings: one for a single-family home on Robinson Road filed by applicant Cara Peck, and another for a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road filed by Moraga Storage, LLC. Commissioners may have voted to close each hearing or continued them to August 4, 2026. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Health

The Board of Health met July 9 to review updates on a Rural Health Initiative Grant, a landfill inspection at 201 South Road, and a rodent infestation at 25 Coldbrook Road. The agenda included a resident request from Michelle Bertrand regarding well water testing and an executive session on strategy regarding collective bargaining or litigation. Minutes are not yet published.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met July 14 to process transfer requests from the reserve fund, including a Board of Health request for landfill inspection costs. The agenda also listed end-of-year line item transfers and a review of Proposition 2½ data gathering and timeline. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Board of Selectmen — July 20:** Votes scheduled on warrants (WR27‑102, PR26‑127, PR27‑101, WTH26‑127, WTH27‑101), an outsourcing services contract with Bishop & Associates, appointment of Kara Hartung as part-time police officer and David Brunelle as traffic constable, a transportation contract with J.P. McCarthy & Sons Bus Company (Norfolk), and seasonal bids for Highway Superintendent.
• **Planning Board — July 21, 7:00 p.m.:** Regular meeting at Oakham Town Hall, 2 Coldbrook Road, and via Zoom (Meeting ID: 690 798 7749). Agenda lists new and old business with no details provided.
• **Conservation Commission — July 21:** Continued public hearing on the Robinson Road single-family home notice of intent (applicant Cara Peck). Commissioners may vote to close the hearing or continue to August. The commission will also discuss funding for expert consultant services and a peer-review procedure under M.G.L. c.44 §53G.
• **Finance Committee — July 21:** Review of budget forecasting progress through 2033 and assignment of departments not yet covered. Public comments will be heard.
• **Library Trustees — July 22:** Welcome of newly elected Trustee Dawn Thistle, request to the Board of Selectmen to appoint Racheal for an open seat, fund-raising strategy for a planned lift replacement, and FY2027 budgeting discussions.
• **Conservation Commission — July 23:** Continued public hearing on Moraga Storage, LLC's notice of intent for a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road. Commissioners may vote to close the hearing or continue to a date in August.

Oakham Weekly Roundup: Council on Aging Adds Two Members; Selectmen, Conservation, Finance All Met on Big-Ticket Items

The only Oakham board with published decisions this week was the Council on Aging, which unanimously appointed two new members on July 10. Several other boards — including the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, and Finance Committee — held meetings on consequential items such as a police chief contract, a 180 MW battery storage hearing, and a possible Proposition 2½ override, but minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Council on Aging Appoints Two New Members (Decided)

The Council on Aging voted unanimously on July 10 to appoint Joyce Brousseau and Edna Holloway to the council. The board also approved its May 8, 2026 minutes unanimously and approved a $17 reimbursement for shade hardware, also by a unanimous vote. Members voted to send flowers and a gift card to retiring member Jan Pierce, funded through private contributions rather than town funds.

Board of Selectmen: Police Chief Contract, Wetland Funds, Appointments (Outcomes Pending)

The Board of Selectmen met three times between June 29 and July 8. Agendas show the board planned to vote on a 25EMPG contract for the police chief, with Maribel LaRange listed as signatory, and on the Conservation Commission's use of wetland funds. The board also planned to approve Fiscal Year 2027 appointments including Fire Chief Timothy Howe, Council on Aging representative Judy Brousseau, and Conservation Commission member Steve Labarre.

Other agenda items included approving special payroll warrant PR26-26B, payable warrant WR27-01A (which includes the Worcester Regional Retirement FY27 Assessment), FY26 line-item transfers for the Board of Assessors, discussion of a Special Town Meeting article dated October 25, and highway department truck trade-ins. A July 8 special meeting was scheduled solely to open seasonal bids for the Highway Department. None of these meetings have published minutes yet.

Conservation Commission: Battery Storage Hearing Continued (Outcomes Pending)

On July 7, the Conservation Commission was scheduled to resume a continued public hearing on a 180 MW battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road, filed by Moraga Storage, LLC. A separate continued hearing for a single-family home on Robinson Road, with applicant Cara Peck, was also on the agenda. The commission could have voted to close either hearing or continue both to August 4, 2026. No minutes are available yet.

Finance Committee: Override Discussion and Transfer Requests (Outcomes Pending)

The Finance Committee met June 30 to elect officers and consider transfer requests, including one for an FY2026 unemployment fund cost overrun and another from the Conservation Commission for expert payment related to the battery storage hearing. The agenda also listed discussion of a Proposition 2½ override figure and resident outreach, plus an Annual Town Meeting and FY2026 recap. Minutes are not yet published.

Board of Health: Landfill, Rodent Infestation, Well Water (Outcomes Pending)

The Board of Health met July 9 to review updates on a Rural Health Initiative Grant, a landfill inspection at 201 South Road, and a rodent infestation at 25 Coldbrook Road. Resident Michelle Bertrand was scheduled to request well water testing. The agenda included an executive session on collective bargaining or litigation strategy. No minutes are available.

Coming Up

• **July 14 — Finance Committee:** Will process a Board of Health transfer request for landfill inspection costs, end-of-year line-item transfers, and review Proposition 2½ data-gathering progress and timeline.
• **July 22 — Library Trustees:** Will welcome newly elected Trustee Dawn Thistle, discuss a request to the Selectmen to appoint Racheal for an open seat, review fund-raising strategy for a planned lift replacement, and discuss FY2027 budgeting.

Oakham boards weigh tax override, FY27 appointments; battery storage hearing continues this week

Oakham's town boards spent the final week of June preparing for the new fiscal year, with agendas covering warrants, appointments, and a possible Proposition 2½ override — though minutes for all six recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Selectmen: warrants, accounting, and FY27 appointments

The Board of Selectmen met three times between June 22 and June 29. Agendas show the board planned to approve multiple warrants — including payables warrant WR26-26, payroll warrant PR26-25, withholding warrants WTH26-24 and WTH26-25, special payroll warrant PR26-26B, and payable warrant WR27-01A, which included the Worcester Regional Retirement FY27 Assessment.

The board also planned votes on inserting Unipay advertisements into tax bills, hiring an outsourced accounting firm for FY27, authorizing town counsel for the Board of Health, and setting wiring inspector fees. A June 29 special meeting agenda included FY26 line-item transfers for the Board of Assessors and appointments for Fiscal Year 2027 covering employees, committees, commissions, and boards.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items passed.

Assessors: FY27 tax commitments and a resignation

The Board of Assessors met June 24 to discuss preliminary FY27 real estate and personal property commitments and warrants. The agenda also listed signing motor vehicle abatements, a camper valuation issue, an end-of-year budget review, a services quote from Patrick Harring (dollar amount not specified), and acceptance of a board member's resignation.

Finance Committee: override figure and outreach

On June 30, the Finance Committee planned to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary. The agenda included transfer requests — one for an FY2026 unemployment fund cost overrun and another from Conservation for an expert payment related to a BESS hearing. Members were also set to discuss setting a figure for a Proposition 2½ override and how to communicate it to residents, plus an Annual Town Meeting and FY2026 recap.

Library Trustees: lift replacement and Play Garden repairs

The Library Trustees met June 25 to discuss fundraising for a lift replacement and planning for KidsFest. The agenda also included water pump and tank replacement for the Play Garden and a public comment period.

Coming up

• **Board of Selectmen — July 6:** Votes scheduled on the 25EMPG contract for the police chief (signatory Maribel LaRange) and on use of wetland funds by the Conservation Commission. The board will also consider FY2027 appointments: Fire Chief Timothy Howe, COA appointee Judy Brousseau, and ConCom appointee Steve Labarre. Discussion items include a Special Town Meeting article, highway truck trade-ins, a laborer/truck driver recommendation, a traffic constable policy, and a hiring procedure policy.
• **Conservation Commission — July 7:** Continued public hearings for a single-family home on Robinson Road (applicant Cara Peck) and a 180 MW battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road (Moraga Storage, LLC). The commission may vote to close either hearing or continue both to August 4, 2026.
• **Board of Selectmen — July 8 (special meeting):** Opening and consideration of seasonal bids for the Highway Department. No other business is listed.

Oakham Officials to Vote on Police Contract, Weigh Battery Storage Project

The Board of Selectmen is poised to vote on a contract for the police chief and approve key appointments when it meets Monday, while the Conservation Commission will continue a public hearing on a large-scale battery energy storage proposal. Those decisions top a week of municipal activity in Oakham, following a series of board meetings in late June that addressed fiscal warrants, accounting services, and library fundraising.

Recent Meeting Agendas

The Board of Selectmen convened three times in the past two weeks, though minutes from all three meetings were not yet published at press time.

June 22 – The agenda included votes on inserting Unipay advertisements into tax bills and approving several warrants: payables warrant WR26-26, payroll warrant PR26-25, and withholding warrants WTH26-24 and WTH26-25.

June 23 – Members were scheduled to consider a fiscal year 2027 outsourced accounting services proposal, a possible vote on authorizing town counsel for the Board of Health, and a possible vote on wiring inspector fees. The meeting was accessible via Zoom and included a public comment period.

June 29 (special meeting) – A packed agenda called for approving special payroll warrant PR26-26B, payable warrant WR27-01A (which includes the Worcester Regional Retirement FY27 assessment), voting on fiscal year 2026 line-item transfers for the Board of Assessors, and making fiscal year 2027 appointments for employees, committees, commissions, and boards.

The Library Trustees met on June 25. Their agenda included reviewing and accepting minutes, fundraising for a lift replacement, planning for KidsFest!, and addressing water pump and tank repairs in the Play Garden. Public comment was also listed.

Upcoming Meetings

Board of Selectmen – July 6

The board will vote on the 25EMPG contract for the police chief, with Maribel LaRange listed as signatory, and on the use of wetland funds by the Conservation Commission. Three fiscal year 2027 appointments are up for approval: Fire Chief Timothy Howe, Council on Aging member Judy Brousseau, and Conservation Commission member Steve Labarre. Discussion items include a Special Town Meeting article set for October 25 and potential highway department truck trade-ins. Possible votes may be taken on a laborer/truck driver recommendation, a traffic constable policy, and a hiring procedure policy.

Conservation Commission – July 7

Two continued public hearings will resume. The first, for a single-family home on Robinson Road, is proposed by applicant Cara Peck. The second concerns a 180-megawatt battery energy storage system at 358 Coldbrook Road by Moraga Storage, LLC. The commission could vote to close each hearing or continue both to August 4, 2026.

Board of Selectmen – July 8

A special meeting will be held solely to open and consider seasonal bids submitted to the Highway Department. No other business is on the agenda.