Add a triathlon in Oak Bluffs to the long list of long-distance events available to Island athletes. On Tuesday this week the Oak Bluffs selectmen voted to allow a triathlon that will take place next year on the morning of Sept. 11.

After a tepid response from Chilmark, race coordinator Matthew Brackman had to redesign what was originally an up-Island race. The event now will include a one-mile swim along State Beach, a roughly 25-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run that is hoped to attract up to 500 competitors.

“I think it’s a very exciting event and I would love for it to happen,” said selectman Kathy Burton before the vote on Tuesday, “but I’m a little concerned about traffic disruption for the running and bike course.”

Because race regulations prohibit bikers from racing side by side except to pass, Mr. Brackman said he has never participated in a triathlon that necessitated a road closure. He also said that his organization, Odyssey Tri-sport, will cover the expenses of cleanup and compensate police for duty work on race day. Mr. Brackman chose the date because town officials told him August would be too busy and any later date would interfere with the fishing derby.

“I think it sounds like a great event,” said highway superintendant Richard Combra. Police chief Erik Blake was similarly enthusiastic, though he said he would need to review the particulars of the course with Mr. Brackman.

Mr. Brackman said the race would start by 7:30 a.m. and take two to four hours to complete.

Also this week town administrator Michael Dutton said that the town has received 10,000 yards of high-quality sand so far from the dredging project in Sengekontacket. Mr. Dutton also said that in light of findings from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project draft on Farm Pond, shellfish constable David Grunden is working to acquire funding to build two eight-foot wide concrete sluiceways.

Mr. Dutton also announced that the town would receive around $15,000 in reimbursements from FEMA for preparation for Hurricane Earl.

He also said the heating system at the Oak Bluffs school needs emergency repairs. Parts of the building have been without heat for two weeks and the principal is currently obtaining estimates for the repairs which would be paid for partly out of the school budget and partly from the highway superintendant’s building maintenance budget. Mr. Dutton predicted the expenses will be “not inexpensive.”

Selectmen voted to open the harbor to shellfishing, effective Nov. 1 through April 30.

And Marie Doubleday was appointed to the town affordable housing committee.