Edgartown selectmen Monday began the expensive process of replacing the furnace at town hall, hired a dredge crew at increased hourly rates, and extended appointments for a committee evaluating improved wireless service on Chappaquiddick.

Selectmen voted unanimously to hire C.A. Crowley of Taunton, an independent consulting firm, to evaluate the town hall heating system. The board took the action after receiving widely varying assessments from vendors.

“It’s a huge project,” said town manager Pam Dolby. “We came to the conclusion it would be best to have an objective person come in.”

The urgency of the repairs was underscored later in the meeting.

“Right now it’s not working at all,” Mrs. Dolby said. “It’s pretty dead.”

She said a contractor will attempt to make temporary repairs that will last until the new system is installed. The cost of replacing the furnace is expected to exceed $100,000, and the design fee is expected to exceed $10,000.

Selectmen also approved appointments to the crew which operates the town-owned dredge, at increased hourly rates.

Reappointed as foreman was Gregory Bettencourt, at a new rate of $41 per hour. Also reappointed as dredge operator was Donald Benefit at a rate of $41 per hour. Appointed as crew was Daniel Gilkes at a rate of $31.23 per hour. The new rates are for a 40-hour work week from Nov. 1 to January 15. Juliet Mulinare was reappointed as dredge administrator, at a rate of 19.81 per hour, for a year-round, part-time position, 15 hours per week.

“The rates are based on the levels of experience of the different crew members, as well as their responsibilities on the job,” wrote the dredge advisory board in a letter to selectmen.

Selectmen agreed to extend the work of the Chappaquiddick wireless committee to December 1. “They were originally going to make a report today, but they have a little more work to do,” Mrs. Dolby said.

The wireless committee appointments were set to expire Nov. 1. The committee is studying the feasibility of installing a distributed antenna system (DAS) or an antenna tower to improve coverage for mobile phones on Chappaquiddick.

Also at Monday’s regular meeting, selectmen were advised that repairs and painting of the steeple and clock tower of the Old Whaling Church are underway. The familiar bell that chimes the hours will be silenced until the work is complete.

They agreed to allow Chappaquiddick ferry owner Peter Wells to build a six foot by 23 foot wooden dock adjacent to the ferry slip on Chappaquiddick Point to allow easier passenger boarding. Selectmen also accepted a bid for road de-icing material at $64 per ton, $13 per ton lower than last year.