PERU — Voters on Tuesday approved leasing the old school building to Friends of Peru School. The tally was 369-226.

The building has caused contention in the town since the new elementary school opened three years ago.

A petition submitted by Rick Wilson in October put the measure to a townwide vote. There were two choices on the ballot.

The first asked if voters would authorize selectmen to receive bids to raze the building and landscape the lot.

The second asked if voters would authorize selectmen to lease the building to Friends of the Peru Elementary School with the intent of making it a community center, with the terms of the agreement written to protect the town. It would involve no taxpayer funding.

Nick Waugh, president of the Friends group, said he was happy with the turnout and thrilled, but not surprised, with the results.

“We had 598 voters that came out and I think that’s an excellent turnout,” he said.

“Every time the topic of tearing down or keeping the old school has been brought to a large group it has gotten overwhelming support,” Waugh said.

The group plans to secure its nonprofit status so it can start applying for grants, he said.

Voters this past summer turned down a $10,000 grant to develop a community center at the school.

Waugh said last month that he would put up $10,000 as a loan to maintain the building until fundraising picks up.

“I think the first thing we will do is get the heat back on and get our one tenant that was forced out, a Zumba instructor, back in there,” Waugh said.