GORHAM – A senior citizens group that meets in a former Gorham school is in a quandary, as its meeting place is set to close regardless of the results of a town referendum.

The Lakes Region Senior Center has met for 21 months in the former Little Falls School. But, Gorham officials are asking voters in a June 11 referendum to approve construction of a $6.3 million public safety complex at the old school’s site on Acorn Street. Regardless of the result, the seniors must vacate the school by Sept. 1.

Gorham town councilors swapped some fiery barbs on Tuesday in a discussion about the town’s lack of a specific design to provide space for seniors in a rehabbed present Public Safety Building at 270 Main St., if voters approve the referendum.

If the referendum passes, the language of the question indicates the existing Public Safety Building at 270 Main St. would be converted to a community center and recreation hall, but without specifically addressing seniors. The Gorham Public Safety Committee recommended that a public safety facility be built at Little Falls, and developed a proposal to house the town’s police and fire departments there. However, the town doesn’t have a design or cost estimate to convert the present public safety building to the community center referenced on the referendum ballot question.

It’s also undecided who or what town department would oversee a community center. The committee’s lack of community center plans irked Town Council Chairman Philip Gagnon and triggered an exchange of words during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I’m very disappointed,” Gagnon said.

But Town Council Vice Chairman Michael Phinney, a member of the Public Safety Committee, defended the committee, saying it is stymied without asking the council for money.

“I’m disappointed” in the chairman for chastising the committee, Phinney said.

Even if the referendum fails, the seniors group will have to vacate the old Little Falls School building, which is slated to close in September. The town would rehab the school for a yet-to-be determined purpose.

The seniors’ group has been hoping to secure a permanent meeting place and aired its plea this week.

In Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Blanche Alexander of Wilson Road, president of the seniors group, urged the town to consider allocating a safe place for the group to meet.

Gerry Day of Running Springs Road thanked the town for allowing the group to meet in the old school but said the seniors are concerned and upset that their hangout will be taken.

“I urge you to please consider us when you make your decision,” Day said.

On a motion by Councilor John Pressey, the council unanimously reaffirmed its intent that seniors would be provided a dedicated space in the present public safety building, if the referendum passes.

“We still intend to have a community center at that location,” Pressey said.

Town Councilor Shonn Moulton pointed out the $6.3 million figure in the referendum is for the public safety building alone. No money is earmarked in the referendum question to renovate space for a community center.

“There’s no funding for it,” said resident Jim Means of Beatrice Drive, who favors an improved facility for public safety.

Moulton didn’t favor spending money until after Election Day on Tuesday, June 11, and learning whether the referendum passes. And, if it does, Moulton also noted the present public safety facility would not be vacated for two years.

David Alexander of Wilson Road, speaking as a senior citizen but not as a member of the senior group, advocated use of the Little Falls School as a community center, if the public safety complex referendum fails.

But even if voters reject the public safety project, there’s no guarantee that the seniors’ group would have a future home in the Little Falls School. At best, seniors would be temporarily dislodged during repairs.

Voters last November approved $500,000 to repair the aging Little Falls School, built in the 1950s. But the ballot question voters approved did not indicate any specific future use.

“There’s going to be a project at Little Falls School,” Town Manager David Cole said.

The town in the past has weighed several options, including relocating its police station to the Little Falls School.

Alexander also said it’s rumored that the Little Falls School building would be mothballed.

“I haven’t heard anything about that building being mothballed,” Cole said.

The Town Council is recommending that voters approve the public safety referendum. Officials have cited numerous problems at the existing Public Safety Building including lack of space, inadequate locker rooms, and men and women sharing unisex bathrooms and showers.

While the central fire station would relocate to a new complex at Little Falls, a fire substation would remain at 270 Main St.

The total cost of a new public safety complex with $1,948,500 interest through 20 years would be $8.3 million.

“It will meet the public safety needs for 25 years,” Kathy Garrard, a member of the public safety committee, said Tuesday.

In other action, the council passed a measure 6-1 (Gagnon opposed) to allow Gorham Lions Club to haul the town’s horse-drawn hearse aboard a trailer in the Memorial Day parade and display it afterward.

The approval reverses a council decision last year.

The hearse, built in 1856, is in storage at the town’s public works garage and hasn’t been on public display for more than a quarter century. Town Councilor Matthew Robinson called the hearse a hidden gem.

“Most people in town don’t know this exists,” Norman Wedge, Lions club president, said of the relic.