VERMONTVILLE — The Town of Franklin Town Council has accepted plans to erect a community center and expand the highway garage.

A town committee had been working for about a decade on ideas to renovate the highway garage, which some complain is unsafe, as well as build an event hall in the nearby park for local events in this Adirondack township in southeastern Franklin County.

Initial estimates put the cost of both projects at about $1.13 million, which requires a permissive referendum.

Town Supervisor Mary Ellen Keith said today that she is gathering the information to set the wheels in motion for that — once the referendum is advertised, voters will have 30 days to submit a petition calling for a public vote on the projects.

Deputy Supervisor Walt Kretser said public support will be vital.

“Nothing is final,” he said. “We still have to get the community behind us.”

Town councilors said their first priority is the highway garage, which would be made more energy efficient. A fifth truck bay would be added and a hydraulic lift installed for the maintenance and repair of heavy trucks.

Town leaders have reportedly already met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about grant opportunities to help pay for the projected $688,000 cost.

“If we don’t do it now,” Kretser said, “the way the economy is going, five years down the road it would cost a million dollars.”

But Councilman Clifford Smalley said he’s already heard from townspeople concerned about the costs.

“I’m just nervous when I start looking at these half-million dollar figures.”

Adirondack Park Agency staff planner John Quinn said Friday that his agency had received an inquiry over whether the project would need an APA permit and that a decision is pending.

“We don’t know which way it’s going to be, but we will rule on it promptly.”