RANGELEY — The annual town meeting June 13 is the first to be held by secret ballot at the polls.

Townspeople voted 64-34 on June 16, 2016, to change from an open meeting to voting on the warrant at the polls.

Town Manager Tim Pellerin said last year that changing to a referendum would be a great opportunity to get more people to vote and to have more voices heard. It would also allow voters more privacy to make decisions.

The referendum process also provides the option for people to vote by absentee ballot within 30 days of the vote.

Before the June 13 meeting there will be a series of hearings and meetings.

The first public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. April 24 at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School to give opinions on the proposed budget and warrant articles, Town Clerk Tricia Roy said. A moderator will facilitate the hearing. No voting will take place.

Selectmen and the Budget Committee will meet at 6 p.m. April 26 at the Town Office to review and make any final changes or recommendations to the warrant, Roy said. The finalized warrant needs to go to Roy by April 28 so ballots can be prepared.

Absentee ballots will be available May 15 at the Town Office.

A public hearing on the proposed budget and warrant articles is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 30 in the gym at Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

Voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 13 at the Town Office.

For more information call Roy at 864-3186.

 dperry@sunmediagroup.net