NEW GLOUCESTER – Four bid proposals to design and construct a central fire station will be studied over the next two months before selectmen choose a finalist.

On Wednesday, the board and members of the Fire Station Study Committee heard each of the proposals by teams of contractors, engineers and architects before opening sealed bids.

The bids for the fire/rescue department facility include:

• Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers of Gray with P.M. Construction Co. of Saco at $2.7 million.

• Sheridan Corp. of Portland with Port City Architects at $2,451,000.

• H.E. Callahan Construction with Taylor Engineering of Auburn and Smith Reuter Lull Architects of Lewiston at $2.4 million.

• Zachau Construction of Freeport with Bunker and Savage Architects of Augusta at $1,778,800.

According to Steve Libby, chairman of the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen, “This is an excellent step.” He urged the committee to take time reviewing each proposal and consider working with each firm on specific areas for further refinement.

New Gloucester has been grappling with building a new fire station for more than 15 years, outgrowing two facilities. Tight space at the Upper Gloucester Highway Department is a problem and Lower Gloucester’s station behind the town hall is insufficient for today’s needs for firefighters and rescue personnel.

Fire Chief Gary Sacco said his group will develop a matrix of the proposals to review all the specific construction details and use of space to serve the town’s future needs.

Selectman Dale Maschino, who heads up the study group, said the task will be complex to determine each bidder’s proposal in light of a $1 million difference between the highest and lowest bids.

Two years ago, voters approved the purchase of 25 acres on Route 100 across from Pine Tree Seeds for the project.

Selectmen say that after the contract is awarded, construction will be contingent on town meeting approval to spend the money, some of which may come from reserve accounts, undesignated fund balances and a bond. Selectmen are aiming for a July decision by voters.