With the fate of the Yellow House due to be decided by Edgartown voters at their annual town meeting next month, the town selectmen took action this week to spur public dialogue around the planned real estate purchase.

On April 11 voters will be asked to approve spending $3 million to buy or take by eminent domain the crumbling property at 66 Main street owned by the Hall family. The main building on the property which abuts the town hall has been vacant for years.

Public hearings are set for Wednesday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m. and Monday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the main town hall meeting room.

The hearings were announced following an executive session Tuesday held to discuss the town’s possible purchase of the property.

“I think after our first meeting we’ll have more about what people are looking for and what they want answers to,” selectman and board chairman Margaret Serpa.

Selectmen announced the purchase/eminent domain initiative for the Yellow House property early this year. The current plan calls for the town to take ownership of the property, lease out the building for use as retail space and convert a small parking lot behind the building to public parking. The $3 million would come from community preservation funds ($1.5 million) and a general appropriation ($1.5 million).

The selectmen also have appointed a committee to explore the real estate purchase and seek conversations with the owners. The committee members are selectman and landscape company owner Michael Donaroma, retired preservation trust director Chris Scott, and real estate developer Gerret Conover. All three attended the executive session Tuesday morning along with town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport and town administrator Pamela Dolby.

Benjamin Hall Jr., a town attorney and spokesman for the family, has said the family opposes the town plan. He claims the town has undervalued the property and obstructed the family’s ability to renovate the building.

Selectmen said they hope to see a good turnout at the public meetings.

“If we get a full room that would be great,” Mrs. Dolby said.