POLAND — The Select Board signed a nine-article warrant Tuesday night that includes changing from an in-person town meeting the first Saturday in April to voting at the polls in June.

Voters will decide the issue Nov. 8.

The change was endorsed this year by the board when members learned that during the two years Maine was in a civil emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic more voters turned out at the polls than at annual meetings in years prior.

A minimum of 100 voters are required for in-person town meetings, according to the town charter, and officials said oftentimes that number was barely met.

Turnout was above 300 at the polls the first year of the pandemic in August 2020. In 2021, over 400 voters cast ballots on the annual warrant articles.

For the referendum vote, polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and absentee ballots can be cast.

To incorporate the change, a nine-member Charter Commission was formed in June to modify the language. The commission suggested other revisions as well.

The proposed changes were approved by the town’s attorney in August.

All proposed changes can be viewed on the town website and copies will soon be available at the Town Office.

In other business, the board accepted the bid of $199,954 from SeaCoast Mechanical of Windham to install a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for the town offices. Work will begin next year.

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