How can a village that currently uses a caucus to nominate candidates for elected office change to the use of nomination papers? 

Yes. A majority of the village board may, no later than December 1st preceding the election, provide that candidates for elective village offices shall be nominated by nomination papers.  Candidates would circulate nomination papers beginning December 1st and would need to file their papers with the clerk by 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in January, or the next day if Tuesday is a holiday.