Better coordination and a new procedure for posting elections are needed in Oak Bluffs, selectmen said on Monday at a special session.

Town administrator Michael Dutton, constable David Oliveira and town clerk Deborah deBettencourt Ratcliff were caleld to discuss last week’s improperly posted special election.

Mr. Dutton offered apologies and took responsibility for the problems with the special election, which saw a turnout of about half the voters (559) as the April 2010 election (1163 voters). There are 3,195 registered voters in town.

The special election involved two budget override questions totaling $484,361. Voters rejected both.

Selectman Greg Coogan said, “What we’re looking for is to make sure that the offices are communicating with each other, that they both know what their responsibility is, and if somebody makes a mistake the other obviously picks them up and helps them out, because that’s what the taxpayers want.”

Also on Monday selectmen discussed further cutting the 2011-2012 budget and raising revenue to fund the town’s accounting, which Mr. Dutton estimated would cost the town over $100,000 whether it contracted out or hired a full-time finance director with benefits.

Selectman chairman Kathy Burton urged the town seriously to consider instituting paid parking in some areas, citing an $8,500 electronic parking meter that could cover 15 spaces at a rate of $2 an hour. Ms. Burton calculated that each machine would generate about $27,000 in three months.

Selectman Michael Santoro wasn’t convinced. “Revenue’s great but we need to cut,” he said. “We still have to get people here this summer first. This past week we haven’t gotten them. The state is predicting decreased revenue and we need to face reality.”