GORHAM – It was a slow day at the polls Tuesday.

Fewer than 500 voters of the 10,000 registered in Westbrook turned out to pass a $32.1 million school budget.

In Gorham, where a $6.3 million bond for a public safety complex was rejected, 1,624 ballots were cast out of 12,522.

And in Buxton, where a $44.6 million school budget and two selectmen’s seats were on the line, 570 ballots were cast of 6,010 registered voters.

“I don’t think a lot of people even know it’s Election Day,” said Beverly O’Gara, warden for Wards 2, 3 and 4 in Westbrook, stationed Tuesday at the Westbrook Armory.

Gorham: Now what?

Gorham voters on Tuesday shot down the public safety measure by a wide margin, 1,190-415, while the $32.9 million school budget passed handily, 1,043-557.

Brenda Caldwell, a former town councilor who chaired the Gorham Public Safety Committee, is disappointed with the failure of the referendum.

“We have a serious need,” Caldwell said on Wednesday. “I’m sorry the people of Gorham didn’t recognize that.”

The town’s Public Safety Committee had found the existing Public Safety Building that houses police and fire departments at 270 Main St. to be inadequate. Caldwell said public safety people need better working conditions and she hopes a special Town Council workshop would be called to discuss a next step.

The public safety proposal would have relocated headquarters for police and fire departments now both stationed at 270 Main St. in Gorham Village to a new facility at the site of the former Little Falls School on Acorn Street. A fire department substation would have remained at the present Central Station at 270 Main St., with vacant space converted to a community center.

The Little Falls School building has been utilized in recent months by a senior citizens group and Gorham Recreation Department. But the building is slated to close for repairs, with reuse undetermined this week.

Town Council Chairman Phillip Gagnon said Wednesday the council would discuss future reuse of the Little Falls School building in the special council meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, in Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

“The council will need to make the ultimate decision on what is done with Little Falls. However, I have always conveyed that this should be a community center,” Gagnon said.

In its findings about the present Public Safety Building, the Public Safety Committee cited overall inadequate space, inadequate locker rooms, lack of overnight facilities for men and women employees, and that men and women employees share unisex bathroom and shower.

Before recommending a new, joint facility for both police and fire departments at the Little Falls School site, the committee studied several alternatives. Options included expanding and renovating the present Public Safety Building along with another alternative to move police to Little Falls.

Following the referendum’s defeat, the town is left to deal with the aging Little Falls School.

Town Manager David Cole said on Wednesday that in November 2012 the voters approved $500,000 for improvements to the Little Falls School.

“When that project moves forward, any users in the building will need to vacate,” Cole said. “My current proposed budget assumes the Little Falls building will not be operating as of Sept. 1.”

Gagnon said the $500,000 would “definitely be a great start” toward reuse of the building as a community center and “bring some much needed attention to the Little Falls area.”

The public safety referendum failed in both voting wards and central. Voters exiting polls on Tuesday were reluctant to comment publicly, but concerns included relocating the public safety away from Gorham Village and cost of the project. A resident, Erin Christianson of Gray Road, said she voted no. “In this bad economy, raising taxes for unnecessary extras is horrible to do to town citizens,” she said.

In an uncontested race, Katherine Garrard was elected to the Gorham School Committee with 1,255 votes. Gorham voters also chose 1,162-437 to continue the school budget validation referendums for three years.

Town Clerk Connie Loughran reported on Wednesday that 1,623 ballots were cast, representing a 13 percent voter turnout from 12,522 registered voters. In the November election last year, Gorham had a 78 percent voter turnout.

Westbrook: 3-1 yes

The Westbrook school budget received 375 votes for approval out of the 481 ballots cast, and 317 votes out of the 480 ballots cast were in favor of continuing to hold a public referendum on the school budget instead of leaving it in the hands of the elected officials.

“We’re really appreciative of the continued support of the community,” School Superintendent Marc Gousse said Wednesday morning. “In particular, when we look at a light turnout and they vote 3-1 to support the school budget, it says a lot about community support for education.”

In June 2011, the last time the school budget was the lone item on the agenda, only about one-tenth, slightly more than 1,000 out of the 10,000 registered voters in Westbrook, turned out for the election.

Dan Blue was one of the few to vote Tuesday, despite the short ballot and rainy weather.

“I always come out to vote. It’s important to have our voices heard, especially on an off election in the middle of the year. You know there is going to be a low turnout but it’s good to make your voice heard,” Blue said.

James Tranchemontagne said he came out to vote because he felt everyone should vote no matter how small the ballot. He also wanted to voice his dissenting opinion that the school and city should not have raised the school budget.

“I voted just so we can continue to be heard about what is being spent and not leave it up to the City Council to decide. I don’t agree with the increase,” said his wife, Heidi Tranchemontagne.

“It’s pitiful, how sad,” said Edward Symbol, Westbrook School Committee member. “We spent about $10 per vote and will continue the validation for three more years. I don’t know why we have a validation vote anymore, but democracy goes and majority rules. I guess we’ll have it for another three years. Why continue it when less than 5 percent show up?”

According to Lynda Adams, city clerk, the election cost about $2,500, about $1,500 less than the usual amount because wards 2, 3 and 4 were combined this year.

“We knew anybody who was on the fence about coming out and voting wouldn’t because the rain kept them home. Every three years we pose that other question, ‘Do want to continue to vote on the school budget?’ and obviously, if you make the effort to vote on the budget, you care about budget. We knew that was going to pass. We were kind of hoping people would not want to continue to do that because of the expense and time, but that is the right of the voter and we will continue to have them,” Adams said.

The $32.1 million school budget did not increase taxes to residents. While the budget is up nearly $1.4 million, state aid from decreasing property values and increasing student population keep the budget flat for taxpayers.

The financial plan included 12 new positions, technology and building improvements.