SANFORD — A local man who works at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard told city councilors Tuesday that a new high school and technical center is what Sanford needs, and, he said, what the shipyard needs, too.

“All of the technical skills they’ll learn can be used at the shipyard,” said Edward Cormier at a public hearing on the project.

The public hearing, which saw two people speak up in favor of the project, and no one speak against, was a necessary step in the process.

The city council unanimously voted to send the matter to a Jan. 13 referendum.

Sanford was chosen by the state as a location for a new high school and technical center a couple of years ago. It is projected to cost about $100 million, and will offer several more technical programs to students from Sanford and several other York County communities.

The approvals by the council Tuesday means voters will see two questions Jan. 13.

The first will ask voters to approve the base project at $100 million, which includes about $7.9 million in local funds, with the bulk of the project ”“ about $92 million ”“ paid through the state’s school construction program.

The base project includes construction of a new Sanford High School and Sanford Regional Technical Center, and includes site acquisition, building construction and site improvements, including athletic fields, parking and more.

Items to be financed through the local, $7.9 million portion of the bond are expected to include a performing arts center, increased space in the second gymnasium, portions of student common and presentation areas, portions of the site costs, field lighting, irrigation, outdoor bleachers, a concession stand, portions of an added softball field, a fourth tennis court, mechanical system improvements, portions of equipment, a community reserve, and stadium utility preparations, according to the proposed referendum question.

City and school officials say when the bond payment, energy consumption and maintenance are configured, someone with a home with a 2014 value of $160,000 would save about $22 per year in taxes.

The second question asks voters to authorize $2.7 million in supplemental improvements, which includes additional bleachers, lighting, an upgrade to synthetic turf for the competition athletic field, additional parking and additional dehumidification.

Approval of the second question isn’t expected to change the tax rate.

The new school, to be located behind Burger King and Sanford Manor Apartments on lower Main Street, will replace the 40-year-old Sanford High School and technical center and the dozen portable classrooms surrounding it. Space for regional technical center programs is at a premium, and some are held off-site as a result.

Resident Emily Sheffield told councilors that she’s been following the process, with enthusiasm, since the beginning.

“We’re on the right path,” she said. “This school is what (Sanford) really needs.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.