FARMINGTON — Selectmen approved a plan Tuesday for the town to work with Franklin Savings Bank on its offer to construct a stairway from Front Street to back lots on Main Street.

The project will also need approval by voters at town meeting so the bank can begin construction this spring.

Bank President Peter Judkins proposed building the stairway from the bank’s property on Front Street, the site of the former F.L. Butler building. His plan includes maintenance of the covered stairway by the town in exchange for 12 public parking spaces.

Part of the property north of Western Mountain Financial Services would be paved and used for employee parking, Judkins told the board. The space nearest My Crop, Paper, Scissor Store is wide enough to pave a 12-space lot for public use. The bank would build a 90-degree stairway from the lot up to the area behind Dunkin’ Donuts with another section from there up to the parking lot behind the bank. This may help development of the lower portion of the Stone Coast Properties building, which houses Dunkin’ Donuts, he said.

Town Manager Richard Davis asked about the town potentially being responsible for replacing the “fairly expensive structure” in future years, but Judkins agreed that the bank could cover that.

Davis, bank officials and the town attorney will work on a legal agreement and other details. They include an arrangement to cover the bank’s request for no taxes on the property, which selectmen said couldn’t be done.

Judkins said he’s been mulling the idea of reuniting the two town streets since he returned to Farmington 12 years ago.

Years ago there was a stairway down the steep embankment so guests at the hotel, formerly located where FSB is now, and college students could make their way down to the train depot.

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