Residents also voted to approve eight of the 12 local referendum questions in Tuesday’s election.

The new charter changes the terms of the mayor and city councilors and the way the police and fire chiefs are appointed.

Voters also favored borrowing $1.3 million for street and sidewalk improvements, by a vote of 4,023-2,156.

Three candidates faced off Tuesday for two seats on the council, while changes in the charter were three decades in the making.

Walker has never held an elective office and said she’d bring a new perspective to the Hallowell council.

Incumbent Gary McGrane was being challenged by former Wilton selectman Terrance Brann, who held a 397-vote lead Wednesday with three of four towns reporting for the District 1 seat.