(a) If an application for a special Town meeting is made not more than 60 days and not less than 40 days before annual Town meeting day, the selectmen may postpone voting on any one or more of the articles requested in the petition until annual Town meeting day.

(b) If, within five days after application is made for a special Town meeting, a petition for another Town meeting is filed, the selectmen may postpone voting on any one or more of the articles requested in the first petition until the Town meeting called upon the second petition, provided that the meeting on the second petition is warned for a day falling not more than 60 days after the filing date of the first petition.