LYMAN — Now that the project to renovate the former Cousens School has been put to a stop, the town must decide what to do with the building.

The 10,000-square-foot Cousens School building is located at 382 Goodwins Mills Road. Last used as a school in 2007, it was acquired by the town in 2008. The building dates back to 1937, with an addition built in 1965.

Residents voted multiple times to allow the town to renovate the building to create new town offices and space for community use. The last vote was in November 2017, when voters approved a higher price tag of $1.8 million.

The Select Board has since received word from the development team that the project would cost at least $125,000 more to fully complete the project, and the board members voted to discontinue the project, as it was more than the price tag residents approved, said Select Board Chairman Jeff Demers.

“We don’t have the jurisdiction to spend another dime,” said Demers at Monday night’s Select Board meeting.

Demers said in a phone interview last week that the town had spent about $130,000 on preliminary work on the project.

Local businessman Maurice St. Clair, who serves as the town’s road commissioner, spoke at Monday night’s meeting regarding a proposal he had to redevelop the property for senior housing.

Select Board member David Dulong said it was “a little early” to be hearing proposals and said the town needed to talk with an attorney to determine the next move.

Demers said if the town were to sell the property, it would need to go out to bid and the sale would have to be approved by residents. Other board members concurred.

“I think we need to ask the people, whatever we do with it,” said Select Board member John Tibbetts.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.