POLAND — The Select Board on Tuesday night discussed changing the annual town meeting from the traditional voting in person at a meeting to voting at the polls.

For several years before COVID-19, it was a struggle to garner the minimum of 100 voters required to hold the annual meeting the first Saturday in April.

When Maine declared a civil emergency during the pandemic, town officials switched to voting at polling stations. Turnout was over 300 the first year at the polls in August 2020. Last year, over 400 voters cast ballots on the annual warrant articles.

This year, the meeting will return to in-person attendance at the Poland Regional High School auditorium April 2.

To change voting on the annual warrant to the polls, the town would be required to follow state statutes for revising the town charter. The first step, a town vote on whether to form a charter commission, was set Tuesday for June 14, the same day as the state primary elections.

If the charter commission is approved, six residents would be elected to serve with three selectpersons. If there are not enough residents elected, the Select Board can make appointments.

The commission can also look into changing other town functions governed by the charter.

After the commission holds public hearings and files its report, voters would decide on any revisions in a special vote.

The Select Board hopes the process can be completed before next year’s town meeting.

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