OXFORD – No contests have developed yet for five open positions in June’s annual town election.

Voters will go to the polls for the first time this year to elect town officers after special town meeting voters approved the change in the way candidates are elected last November. The move means that candidates must take out nomination papers and return them by April 27 with signatures of a minimum of 25 registered voters. There are about 3,500 voters in town, said Deputy Clerk Joan Catalano.

“I really hadn’t thought about it,” said fire Chief Scott Hunter, who lives on Route 121, when asked if he intended to handle the election any differently because of the new format. Hunter, who is seeking re-election as fire chief, said he hoped to have his nomination papers submitted by next week.

In addition to Hunter, two incumbent selectmen have taken out nomination papers for re-election. Floyd Thayer of East Oxford Road and Dennis Sanborn of Gore Road are seeking re-election to the five-member Board of Selectmen.

The revision in the election process was made to meet the mandates of state law that require the change when a town’s population exceeds 4,000. That is expected to happen during the 2010 federal census, according to information from Town Clerk Ellen Morrison.

Also taking out nomination papers are Penny Lowe for Oxford Water District trustee; and John Palmer for the SAD 17 Board of Directors. Both are incumbents.