ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — Voters in St. Johnsbury are deciding Tuesday whether to authorize town officials to borrow $5.4 million to turn an old armory into the community’s new public safety building.

The polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, the Caledonian Record reported.

“Their approval of the bond vote does not obligate the town to move forward with this project,” said Selectman Kevin Oddy at a selectboard meeting on Monday. “Bond approval simply gives the board the ability to move forward. Bond approval will also increase our chances to secure further funding through grants to help off-set the costs of the project to the taxpayers … We will advance this project – if it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of St. Johnsbury.”

The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $5.8 million, the newspaper has reported. The town has already received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and officials say they will seek more grants to reduce the cost to the town.

If the bond is approved, construction could begin next year.