North Stonington — The selectmen voted Tuesday to send the additional $2.25 million appropriation for the Emergency Services building to the Board of Finance, which will set a mill rate increase for the project at their next meeting.

The selectmen also voted to accept a $300,000 grant-in-aid through the Department of Economic and Community Development for the project.

First Selectman Shawn Murphy noted that Rep. Urban would also be applying for an additional $600,000 through the bond commission.

On Jan. 30, the town held a public hearing on the additional appropriation.

Members of the Emergency Services Building Committee presented the timeline and justified the increased costs of the project as a result of estimates set during the end of the recession, when building costs had fallen for several years according to the Gilbane Building Company.

Chair Mark Perkins noted about 50 people attended, and that there were no concerns raised at the hearing that would lead to changes in the funding request.

The committee hopes to go out to bid in a month, and is in the process of finalizing the clerk of the works for phase II of the project, Perkins said.

The question of the potential mill rate increase was raised at the public hearing. Since the budget hasn't been determined and a funding source hasn't been set for the project yet, there was no way to determine the exact mill rate increase at the hearing, Perkins said.

However, now that budget discussion are underway, the Board of Finance would be able to make an estimate. Murphy noted that while he wasn't trying to rush the project, if the Board of Finance approve it next week, it could go to a town meeting soon after.

"If they are able to make a determination using one meeting, and the chair of the board seems to think they will be able to, we would be able to have a town meeting on (Feb.) 29 and a referendum the following month," he said.

The Board of Finance will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the New Town Hall Conference Room.

n.lynch@theday.com

Twitter: @_nathanlynch