The Wescott Junior High School Building Committee will hold an informal vote for the public on the proposed site of the new junior high school next Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in room 114 at Westbrook High School.

The committee will hold what is known as a “straw vote,” whereby residents are asked to come and vote on whether the new school should be located at the site identified on Stroudwater Street.

According to Westbrook Schools Superintendent Stan Sawyer, a presentation will take place to provide residents the latest information regarding the school. Then a vote will follow. This will be the first of two informal votes, the next taking place on a concept design in April.

Although neither of the informal votes are binding, the state requires them before proceeding to a referendum, which Sawyer and the committee hope will take place some time in May or June. The referendum will be binding.

“It just shows that the people there are in favor of it. It provides a gauge,” said Sawyer Wednesday. “The final decision will be made at the referendum.”

Sawyer said he and others plan to meet next Wednesday with a Maine Board of Education subcommittee in a first site-approval session. A second site-approval meeting will take place a week following next Wednesday’s meeting.