AUBURN — Enough talk, already.

A referendum asking voters to approve a new high school should be held this November, members of the New High School Steering Committee decided Thursday night.

With no state construction money in sight, local taxpayers would be asked to pay for the school, estimated to cost $62 million. That would mean a tax increase of about $336 on a home valued at $150,000.

When Harriman architect Jeff Larimer passed out a timeline Thursday night calling for a March 2014 referendum, several committee members said they wanted an earlier vote.

“I would like to do a referendum in November,” said Bonnie Hayes, an Auburn School Committee member.

The steering committee has done enough talking, she said. “We’ve sat here all winter. I don’t want to sit here all summer. Let’s give it to the School Committee and see what everybody says.”

Member Leighton Cooney said a November vote would draw a higher turnout. “I’d like to know we won with thousands of votes instead of hundreds of votes.”

If voters approve a new school in November, groundbreaking could take place in the fall of 2014, and the new school could open at the earliest in the fall of 2016, Larimer said.

Building sooner rather than later could mean lower costs, Auburn Superintendent Katy Grondin said. The current economy means material and construction costs are low. As the economy improves, costs will rise, she said.

Harriman was asked to deliver plans soon so a design and a price could be given to the public. He said he would have the plans ready for a June public hearing.

The decision to hold a referendum would be up to the Auburn City Council, but the New High School Steering Committee plans to start pushing for the referendum right away.

The steering committee on April 3 will give its recommendation to build a new high school at the existing Edward Little site to the Auburn School Committee. If the School Committee agrees, it would take the proposal to the City Council.

Public forums should begin by June 10, before families get busy with summer activities, Hayes said. “Let’s get it going and get it out there.”

Committee member Tom Kendall cautioned the proposal should not be too rushed. A new school would be a major investment and the School Department should have “the appropriate time and energy to do it right.”

A host of subcommittees will be formed and to work on communications; funding; planning the cafeteria/food court, the outside grounds, the library and media center; green building and energy design; and technology.

Steering committee member Pam Delong said her communications subcommittee had started talking about how to spreading the word. Edward Little students will take photographs of the school and two students could make short videos. The committee would promote the specifics of cost analysis and fundraising, and promote the message that “our investment in Edward Little is an investment in Auburn.”

The subcommittee needs more volunteers, Delong said.

Citizen Tom Ward asked the committee why the city was attempting to build a new school without state help.

Hayes said Auburn had applied for state school construction money two years ago, but ended up too far down the list to receive aid.

“Wouldn’t it make sense to do this in steps, then, until the state offers funding?” Ward asked.

Hayes said the city might not get any state construction money. Ward adding the cost to property taxes “seems like you’re running people out of town.”

Hayes said asking for a referendum for a new high school may not be successful, but the committee was charged with recommending a plan. She said the school has a long list of serious deficiencies, from unhealthy air to inadequate program and parking space.

“It’s one scary place,” Hayes said.

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