Skowhegan selectmen agreed Tuesday to make the final payment on the new public safety building at 51 East Madison Road. The building is home to the town’s police and fire departments. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

SKOWHEGAN — The Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday to approve the town’s final payment to the contractor that built Skowhegan’s new public safety building, after choosing last month to continue withholding the outstanding $20,000 the town owed.

At the end of Tuesday’s meeting, Skowhegan police Chief David Bucknam told the board that Benchmark Construction of Westbrook has addressed more significant issues with the building at 51 East Madison Road, which houses the Skowhegan Police and Fire departments.

The lawn was replanted and a water issue on the Fire Department side of the building has been fixed, Bucknam said.

“I believe I have met and exceeded all of those deficiencies that were brought to my attention,” Bucknam said.

The building is also under warranty until the end of the calendar year, Bucknam said. That means Benchmark is required to return to address issues within the scope of the project’s plans.

The five members of the select board voted unanimously to make the payment at Bucknam’s request.

At its Aug. 13 meeting, the board withheld the payment by a vote of 3–1. Selectmen and Town Manager Dawn DiBlasi debated then whether it was the right move — and if it was legal, within the terms of the contract.

The $20,000 payment was originally due in January, according to Bucknam.

In February, the Board of Selectmen signed off on the 25,500-square-foot building, giving the green light for the two public safety departments to relocate.

Construction of the building, which cost more than $8 million, began in 2022. Skowhegan voters chose its location in a 2020 vote.

As the police and fire departments continue settling into their new home, the Board of Selectmen also authorized Bucknam on Tuesday to use up to $10,000 from a capital reserve fund for miscellaneous items needed at the building.