Woodland planning socially distanced election and town meeting

5 years ago

WOODLAND, Maine — The town of Woodland is tentatively planning to hold its election on June 15 and its annual town meeting on June 18, according to the town office.

The town office indicated on May 21 that these plans are subject to change depending on the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Aroostook County. 

The June 15 municipal election will be held in the town office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and residents will be able to drive up to a tent, state their name and receive their ballot. Once they fill out the ballot in their vehicles, they can pull up to the box and drop it off and then drive up to a second tent to state their name again before leaving.

The ballot box will be opened on June 18, after being sealed for 72 hours, and votes will be counted by election workers.

Candidates for the board of selectmen are Scott Dow and Collin Patterson and school board candidates are Christopher Kilcollins and Heather Pelletier, all running for a three-year term.

The June 18 town meeting will be held at 6 p.m. outside the town garage. Selectmen will be sitting six feet apart in the doorway of the garage and the moderator will be using a microphone so everyone can hear. Residents will vote on issues by a show of hands while staying six feet apart, and are encouraged to bring a folding chair or lawn chair.

The town office reiterated that these plans are only tentative and may change by the time of the election and meeting.

Residents are encouraged to vote via absentee ballot if possible, and can obtain one by calling the town office at 207-498-6133 or sending an email to town clerk Janet Schofield at janet@woodlandto.com or administrative assistant and tax collector Amber Moutinho at amber@woodlandto.com.

Town office hours will also change on June 1, at which point the office will be open, for essential transactions only, on both Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and residents can call or email to schedule an appointment. The town also announced via their website that they will be installing a drop off mail slot at the front door if any letters or documents need to be dropped off while the office is closed.

Residents are encouraged to be patient as Woodland, in addition to towns across the state and country, make adjustments due to the pandemic.