GORHAM – Debate on a $3 million project that would include an artificial turf stadium packed the Gorham council chambers Tuesday and drew some opposition.

But after lengthy discussion, the Town Council approved 5-2 (Matt Mattingly and Noah Miner opposed) asking voters in a referendum on Tuesday, June 14, whether they want to borrow money for the project. A public hearing was set for Tuesday, June 7.

The multi-purpose stadium would be constructed on the 85-acre Chick Property owned by the town. It would be home field for high school varsity teams. The stadium would have bleachers, lights and a building housing concession stands and locker rooms.

Chick Drive, connecting Main Street and Gray Road, was constructed through the property last year. Under the project, additional parking would be built at the adjacent Public Safety Building and Narragansett Elementary School.

Supporters say with a stadium the town could host state tournaments, attracting people to Gorham and stimulating the local economy. But opponents cited the economy woes and fears of hiking taxes.

Charlie Pearson, a Mighty Street resident, said many Gorham citizens have lost jobs and the number of tax liens is increasing.

“We’re still recovering from the greatest downturn in the economy since the depression,” he said.

School officials say the grass field at the high school is taking a beating and the landlocked site lacks room for field expansion and parking.

“The School Department fully endorses this project,” Dennis Libby, chairman of the School Committee, said.

The stadium proposal includes upgrading traffic circulation, improving safety at the school. Libby said existing traffic patterns at the school are dangerous and that the proposal would address the situation.

Some residents questioned wrapping the safety measures into the project package and asked whether the elementary school safety measures could be separated. But Cole said, if individual parts were separated from the overall plan, the council couldn’t have voted on it Tuesday.

Libby said the stadium would allow Gorham to be available to host other than just school events.

“It’s a major improvement for our town,” he said.

Mary Mercier, president of Gorham Football Boosters, also backed the proposal. Mercier said it would provide a needed field and boost revenue for Gorham businesses.

The stadium would make Gorham a destination, a soccer coach, Adam Sturtevant, said. “I think this is a jewel in our cap,” Sturtevant said.

Pointing to the town’s growing population, Aspen Lane resident Mark St. Germain said the town’s infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. “I’m fully in support of this proposal,” St. Germain said.

Even though the project includes parking lots, a neighbor sees room for parking problems. Rick Willey of Elizabeth Street lives near the proposal and he worried that event spectators’ parking would overflow onto neighborhood streets.

While primarily a project for schools, Gorham taxpayers would foot all principal and interest payments for the stadium. Robinson, the council chairman, said the project could take advantage of present low interest rates.

Town Manager David Cole said the project would impact the tax rate a nickel the first year and 16 cents the second year of a 20-year bond.

“A field like this will pay for itself,” said Brenda Caldwell, Town Council vice chairwoman.

But, Pearson said, the tax rate in the town’s proposed budget is already rising 25 cents. Pearson also said that even most cities sponsoring Olympics lose money.

Willey also had concerns about the burden on taxpayers. “The economy has affected people,” Willey said.

“I’m torn,” said Town Councilor John Pressey. “We do need to put it up for a vote,” Pressey said.

Miner advocated fundraising for the project.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Miner said, referring to the economy. “I think the timing is off.”