CHELSEA -- An initiative to erect a new building to house Chelsea Elementary School advances to its next step early next week.

Residents on Tuesday will weigh in on initial site plans for the new school in a straw poll. State education officials will then have an opportunity to put their stamp of approval on the plans.

Now in its infancy, the project plan puts the school on a 17-acre property on Route 226 that was formerly federal property at the Togus veterans hospital. Chelsea superintendent Frank Boynton estimates the project will cost approximately $14 million.

The straw poll session begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the elementary school's gymnasium.