By JIM HICKEY

Edgartown selectmen on Tuesday delayed voting on an application for a new tour bus company for the second time in four months, stating the town lacks the criteria to review the request and the applicant has yet to prove the need for more tours through town.

Selectmen took no action on the application from Ron Minkin of Martha’s Vineyard Transport LLC, even though Mr. Minkin pressed the board to vote one way or another. If the application is denied, Mr. Minkin has 60 days to appeal to the state department of public utilities.

Mr. Minkin wants to use small vehicles, similar in size to medical vans, to give tours of the Island. In December selectmen told him he needed approval from the Oak Bluffs selectmen before they could vote on his application.

Selectmen in that town initially denied Mr. Minkin’s request, but reversed their decision after he promised to use smaller busses that carry between 14 and 24 passengers. This week he told Edgartown selectmen the tours would benefit local businesses.

He also cited the lack of licensed tours in town. Some taxi companies offer tours, but they are not required to obtain street licenses and are largely unregulated, Mr. Minkin said.

“Taxicabs are advertising tours on Web sites and driving down your streets illegally . . . nothing is going to change with my tour [except that] five people will be making good money, and hundreds of people will get to see the streets of Edgartown,” he said. “This is a historic town, it’s beautiful. And you have not one registered tour of the town.”

But selectman Michael Donaroma said the board cannot approve any street licenses until new criteria are established for tour bus companies — which will require a public hearing.

“I understand you think you will meet any criteria. But what we need to do is have a public hearing to allow the neighborhood and the stores to come and give us their opinion. They need to hear this, they need to be part of any rules or regulations . . . the lack of criteria doesn’t allow us to move forward until we have done our due diligence,” Mr. Donaroma said.

“And I think we need to determine if there is, in fact, a need for this type of service in this town,” added selectman Margaret Serpa.

Mr. Minkin expressed frustration with the process.

“It seems your mind is already made up . . . I live here. I’m your neighbor, not your enemy. You had since December to come up with criteria. Can I at least have a letter in the morning for the refusal?” he said.

“There won’t be a letter. We took no action,” Mrs. Serpa replied.