CUSHING – Change is in the air for this small community, even though it won’t happen overnight.

Several articles on Tuesday’s town meeting warrant aimed at changing town government ended up being of an “advisory” nature only, due to errors on the part of town officials.

Resident David Cobey said he was misinformed by Selectman David Glidden on the number of signatures needed for petitions to have the town switch from three selectmen to five selectmen, and to go from appointing planning board members to electing them.

Regardless, the questions were on the ballot.

But added wording on one article upset Cobey. The article would have changed the current three-selectman board to five selectmen and a town manager.

“I think we’ve got a situation where selectmen did not want this to pass,” Cobey said. “I think this warrant has not been drawn in good faith.”

Glidden, who is chairman of selectmen, apologized for his mistake, admitting that he “probably overstepped [his] bounds” in adding the town manager reference. At that point, however, the article could not be amended to eliminate the reference to a town manager.

Resident John Webster didn’t come to the meeting with plans to vote in favor of five selectmen, he said, but “after seeing selectmen change the intent [of Cobey’s petition], I’m all for going to five selectmen.”

Voters passed an advisory version that will have selectmen looking into how to legally switch to a five-member board and “consider” a town manager.

The article on electing planning board members rather than appointing them and reducing their terms from five to three years also raised a few hackles.

When planning board member Evelyn Kalloch asked why the change was being suggested, Cobey said, “The planning board represents a narrow set of interests in the town – representing the applicants.”

Cobey also made reference to some of the planning board members’ professions.

Kalloch, who is a Realtor, and Fire Chief Arthur Kiskila were both offended, they said, insisting they do not represent special interests as members of the planning board.

The current board is too easy on applicants and routinely waives requirements, Cobey said.

“Everything done so far has been by subdivision rules in place now,” Kalloch said.

Residents also debated the adoption of a six-month moratorium for all subdivisions that would have been retroactive to Dec. 22. It failed.

They then passed a second similar article enacting a six-month moratorium on subdivisions with more than three lots, which is not retroactive. The intent of the moratorium is to give the town a chance to review its ordinances and better prepare for growth.

Earlier in the meeting, townspeople also agreed to enter into a contract with the state to help the town develop and implement a comprehensive plan.

On Monday, voters elected Michael Myrick to a three-year selectman’s seat, replacing longtime Selectman Richard Gardner, who retired.