The election of Town officers and the consideration of all public questions shall be by Australian ballot at any annual meeting or at any special town meeting called on motion of the selectmen or by petition. A public question voted by Australian ballot shall be preceded by a public informational meeting, to start at 7:30 o'clock in the evening of the day preceding that on which the polls are to be opened. The warning for the special town meeting to vote by Australian ballot shall include a notice of the time and place of the public hearing.