Bracing for a nasty flu season, Chilmark selectmen voted Tuesday to adopt an influenza pandemic plan, urging town employees to stay home when sick and extending sick days to town workers who have not accrued sick leave.

“We don’t want people to think they should be a good trooper and come to work [when they have flu symptoms],” said selectman Warren Doty, who added that staying home is “the way to reduce everybody’s chance of exposure.”

To control the flu, which is expected to be more widespread than usual this year, the board recommended that town employees stay home at the first sign of a fever, and stay out of work until the virus has run its course. People should return to work only after they have shown no signs of a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Part of the plan allows town exec-utive secretary Tim Carroll to extend sick days to town employees who have not yet earned them, if necessary.

Mr. Carroll said he would like to extend the plan recommendations to the rest of the Chilmark community. “If these people are at risk I’m going to try to work a plan out to make sure that they aren’t,” he said.

In other business this week, the selectmen approved a plan to improve the town center at Beetlebung Corner with walking paths, crosswalks and some outdoor lighting.

Presented by Dan Greenbaum, the improvements are aimed at connecting the bank, community center, library, post office and Chilmark store. “I think one of the concerns in addition to ease of movement was safety,” said Mr. Greenbaum. “What we did was identify where people go.”

“This is minimal,” said Mr. Doty. “Some of it is very inexpensive.” The plan calls for clearing some underbrush to create new paths, opening up a low fence and low stone wall, modifying a steep portion of a path, and lighting areas between the community center and library.

Additional improvements that would make the buildings more accessible to town hall workers and alter the flow of traffic around the Chilmark Store would require permission from private landowners. The selectmen voted to allow Mr. Greenbaum to begin work on the basic improvements, and agreed to look into the rest of the plan.

A pointing griffon named Maisy was granted a reprieve by the selectmen, but remains on probation following an attack on a Yorkshire terrier belonging to Linda Zeltzer in early October. The small dog had to be put to sleep as a result of his injuries.

Chilmark dog officer Chris Murphy recommended in a letter to the selectmen that Maisy be put to sleep, based on the viciousness of the attack. But the selectmen decided to give her a chance for rehabilitation with a trainer who works at the New Skete Monastery in upstate New York. According to a plan presented by Maisy’s owner Jim Morgan, the dog will go through a rigorous training program using a remote collar until she is deemed ready to return by the trainer.

The board also required that Mr. Morgan pay the veterinary bills for the Zeltzer family, and take steps to help make up for the loss, including buying the Zeltzers a new dog if necessary. When Maisy returns to the Island, she will be required to wear the collar and be leashed or fenced in at all times.

“We will need to be assured that the dog will be under your control after it returns,” said chairman Frank M. Fenner Jr.

Seth Karlinski gave a post summer season report about water usage in the Menemsha comfort station. Mr. Karlinski is a contractor who was hired for maintenance work around Menemsha this summer. He suggested installing low-flow showerheads and a low-flush system in toilets. Mr. Doty said the change would satisfy the town board of health, which is requiring the town to find ways to decrease water usage in Menemsha. “It’s not as comfortable for the customer but we have to reduce our water flow,” said Mr. Doty. He also suggested that the town look into no-water urinals for the men’s room.

Matthew Mayhew was appointed to replace John Larsen on the town shellfish advisory committee. Mr. Larsen recently resigned his post. “Matt has been very active here in town,” said Mr. Doty. “We look forward to getting some young people on the committee.”

The board voted to open the commercial bay scallop season on Nov. 2. The daily limit is two bushels.

The selectmen also voted to accept a conservation restriction on a Chilmark property near Abel’s Hill owned by Pamela Kohlberg. The restriction will forever prevent development on the land, but will result in a loss of $3,000 in tax revenue to the town. “It’s in general a good thing, but it comes at a cost,” said Mr. Doty. “It just allows a nice piece of land to stay unbuilt.”