BRUNSWICK — The Town Council unanimously approved a different firm Monday night after the first contractor chosen to build a new police station withdrew from the project.

The Town Council authorized Town Manager Gary Brown to enter into a contract with Ledgewood Construction for pre-construction services. Brown noted in a March 1 memo to the council that the town intends ultimately to contract with the South Portland firm for full management of the project.

The pre-construction services will cost $15,000. Brown noted that Ledgewood has been in touch with architects Donham & Sweeney and has started developing its cost estimate for the project.

“The schedule anticipates that (Ledgewood) will submit a budget to Donham & Sweeney to be compared and reconciled with a budget that Donham & Sweeney is developing,” Brown wrote. “The stipulated project budget is scheduled to be complete by the end of this month.”

He added that the town would sign a letter of intent to indicate that once the project is approved, the town will contract for Ledgewood for full management of that project.

The town had planned to work with Ouellet Associates of Brunswick on the police station. President Mike Ouellet had agreed to do the pre-construction work for free.

Ouellet said Monday that the parties could not come to terms in final contract negotiations, “and we felt that, given the importance of the project to Brunswick, that it was best for the project, and best for the town of Brunswick, if we stepped aside.”

Brown said Ouellet withdrew its proposal last week.

The police station is to be built at the corner of Pleasant and Stanwood streets, replacing the one at 28 Federal St. Completion is anticipated for the fall of 2013.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.