The cost of curbside trash pickup may soon go up in Vineyard Haven.

At the Tisbury selectmen’s meeting Tuesday there was lengthy debate at a public hearing to consider a request for a rate increase from Bruno’s Rolloff Inc, the company that the town contracts with for curbside pickup of trash and recyclables.

Robert Goulart, general manager of Bruno’s, has proposed an increase in the cost of a regular sticker from $4.50 to $5.75. He has proposed increasing the cost of senior stickers from $3 to $3.50. On June 2, another public hearing will take place after which the rate increases will take effect, if selectmen approve them.

Mr. Goulart told the selectmen that the need for an increase stems from an increase in recycling, which is good for the environment but bad for Bruno’s bottom line. Recycling is free, while stickers are required for trash pickup.

“There are more recyclers than there are sticker customers,” he said, adding: “The sticker price helps subsidize some of the recycling, and I want to incentivize people to recycle and make it as easy as possible for everyone. But more people are on board with it and fewer people are paying for it.” Currently, Bruno’s handles all curbside recycling, whether residents purchase trash stickers or not. “If it’s curbside, we pick it up,” said Mr. Goulart. “From a financial standpoint, we would be thrilled if you took curbside recycling out of our hands.”

Selectman Larry Gomez said it was important to consider the town’s demographic, with many residents over the age of 65. “Curbside recycling is great for our community. We don’t want to decrease recycling,” he said.

In the end the selectmen decided hold a public meeting next Tuesday solely on the topic of trash and recycling. “$5.75 is not an is not an inconsequential raise. It’s a 20 per cent increase,” said selectman Tristan Israel. “It’s something we need to wrestle with — how we want to proceed and what the impact would be on the community.”

In other business Tuesday the board approved an annual beer and wine license for Waterside Market and La Soffitta restaurant (formerly Le Grenier), set to open in June. Owner Stephen Bowen said La Soffitta will be open seasonally for dinner as well as wedding events. Waterside Market is open year round.

Public comment was mixed, with some abutters expressing concern over music and the number of seats that will be allowed. “At lunchtime today there were 58 seats,” said Catherine Urban. “My perspective is that there are rules and people should follow them, and this group is operating outside the provisions for its food service permit. I would like to see them being followed right off the bat.”

Mr. Gomez said he too had concerns about outdoor music. Anthony Carroll, who manages both restaurants, responded. “I would love to have outside music, but we will eliminate it if we have to,” he said. “We want to be respectful of our neighbors, and I apologize for that and the seating.”

Another neighbor welcomed the new eatery. “I live at 103 William and noises from Waterside never keep us awake. I am really happy they are there and we don’t have to go to Oak Bluffs to eat Italian,” said Wiet Bacheller. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

The license was approved; the restaurants will be BYOB until final approval is obtained from the state, expected to take about six weeks.

Finally, town shellfish constable Danielle Ewart came before the board to request that it use Martha’s Vineyard Commission resources to map areas on Lake Tashmoo where eel grass grows, a resource that is invaluable to the health of the pond. Sheri Caseau, the MVC water resources planner, who was in attendance, suggested that as a first step her group would survey the perimeter and map out eel grass growth patterns on its boundaries. Further steps, including a more in-depth water survey involving professional divers, will be considered by the board.