North Stonington — On Monday, the town officially began its search for a general contractor for phase two of the new $6.36 million emergency services building, which residents approved in 2013.

But, although the deadline to submit bids is July 24, the town has yet to choose a clerk of the works — whose duty will be to oversee the day-to-day construction work of the contractor — for the same phase.

Since the application period for the clerk of the works job opening closed May 20, town officials have been debating between two of the five individuals and companies that applied: Stadia Engineering Associates Inc. and town building official Lou DiCesare.

For several weeks, First Selectman Nick Mullane has said choosing DiCesare could save the town $40,000. But at the Board of Selectman meeting Tuesday night, Selectman Bob Testa and Charles Steinhart V, chief of the North Stonington Volunteer Fire Co., called that into question.

Reading from a draft copy of the potential contract with DiCesare, Testa pointed out that DiCesare would receive $40 per hour, not to exceed $80,000.

"I thought you guys said (Stadia) would come in around $80,000," Testa said, asking where the $40,000 in savings would come into play.

Mullane said that, assuming equal hours, the savings were a given: Stadia would pay its clerk of the works $75 per hour.

Plus, Emergency Services Building Committee member Bob Shabunia said, Stadia's proposal includes additional expenses such as mileage.

But Steinhart said he wondered why DiCesare's numbers weren't finalized until Tuesday, while Stadia included a rate schedule from the outset.

"Now, three, four weeks after (the bid) closed, we have a number for (DiCesare), who already knew what the other person's price was?" Steinhart asked.

Mullane said he couldn't get DiCesare's offer in writing until learning from the U.S.Department of Agriculture — whose Rural Development loan program likely will finance the majority of the project — whether DiCesare could be used as a dual clerk of the works and building inspector.

He noted that the original clerk of the works bid required qualifications, not a rate schedule.

Both Testa and Steinhart questioned why Mullane helped write DiCesare's contract but not Stadia's.

"Because I want to make sure I've got in it everything I want," Mullane said.

DiCesare is slated to receive a $30,415 salary from the town in the current fiscal year.

If the town chooses DiCesare, it won't be able to use the federal loan to finance his costs. The USDA last month said using the loan to fund town employees is a "conflict of interest."

In part because of that, the Emergency Services Building Committee recommended Stadia as the preferred candidate in a June 19 letter to Mullane.

Ultimately, the selectmen decided to make the decision at next week's meeting, when the building committee chairman, vice chairman or both could be present.

l.boyle@theday.com

Twitter: @LindsayABoyle