GORHAM – In Gorham’s latest attempt to alleviate outdated and cramped conditions at the 40-year-old Public Safety Building, an architect will begin to develop plans for a $5 million proposal.

The project, which would continue housing police and fire departments at 270 Main St. in Gorham Village, likely would go to voters this fall.

Last June, Gorham voters in a referendum rejected building a $6.3 million public safety complex that would have relocated the headquarters to the site of the former Little Falls School. Some critics objected to moving the facility away from downtown.

On Tuesday, the Town Council authorized Port City Architecture in Portland to develop site and floor plans for the public safety facility at a cost of approximately $5 million.

Andrew Hyland of the architectural firm told councilors it would take a look at everything in examining the town’s public safety facility.

“We don’t have any preconceived notions,” Hyland said.

The council authorized $65,000 from a reserve account for the study and to develop plans.

“This work includes designing a functional and cost-effective solution for the public safety needs with the project to be located at 270 Main St.,” Town Manager David Cole said on Wednesday.

Cole said the work involves assessing the condition of the existing building and developing a schematic design for the project, including floor plans, a site plan, 3-D model and solid cost estimates.

An emphasis, Cole said, is on developing a good-quality project that meets the community public safety needs at “a cost that is significantly lower than the one that was recently turned down.”

The newest proposal would keep police and fire departments at its current address.

“We think it’s a smart move to stay on the same site,” Hyland said.

Hyland estimated a project would cost $4.5 million for construction and about $400,000 in other costs.

“If we can do it for less, we certainly will,” he said.

Last year, the town’s Public Safety Committee favored the $6.3 million complex at Little Falls, But the committee, which has disbanded, had listed a renovation of 270 Main St. as an alternative option and pegged costs at $5.8 million.

The former committee had identified a litany of problems at the Public Safety Building. The list included lack of overall space, inadequate locker rooms for both fire and police, and lack of separate overnight facilities for men and women.

The Town Council will likely approve a new committee to work with the architectural firm, and Hyland suggested a committee with five members.

Cole said Port City Architecture has done many police and fire stations and “has a lot of good experience in this area.”

“I’m glad we’re going with a firm that specializes in public safety,” Town Councilor Matthew Robinson said.

In another item, the town’s proposed budget will rise slightly. Cole submitted to the Town Council on Tuesday his proposed $12.4 million municipal budget.

Cole said it represents a 2.7 percent increase over this year’s $12.1 million municipal budget and his proposed budget would increase the property tax rate per $1,000 of valuation by 5 cents.

The Cumberland County tax increases to $934,677 from $888,144, a rise of $46,533. The county’s tax would add 3 cents to Gorham’s tax rate.

Cole said municipal budget workshops will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, and on Tuesday, April 8, in the council chambers at Gorham Municipal Center, 75 South St.

Cole’s budget does not include the Gorham School Department’s proposed budget.