West Tisbury police chief Beth A. Toomey announced this week she is retiring after nearly three decades on the job as a police officer and 16 years as chief. Ms. Toomey made the announcement in a letter to the selectmen dated Jan. 13, which was read aloud by chairman Diane Powers during Wednesday’s regular selectmen’s meeting.

“This will always remain one of the most memorable times of my life. Looking back, [the board of selectmen] granted me an amazing opportunity to move our police department forward,” Ms. Toomey said in her letter. “I feel that now is another time for a change and a time for someone else to take the reins.”

Ms. Toomey was named chief in West Tisbury in early March of 1994; prior to that she had been a police officer in Northboro for 11 years.

In her letter she said her retirement will be effective in late March or early April. She said she was grateful for the opportunity to serve as chief.

“I would like to acknowledge the many loyal and talented police officers that it has been my pleasure to work with throughout the years. I will miss the work that I have done for the town and for the Island. Please know that I will work diligently with you to assist in making the transition to a new chief as smooth as possible.”

The chief declined further comment after the meeting.

“I said it all in my letter,” she said.

The announcement was met with a vigorous round of applause.

“I want to thank her for her long service and diligent service to the town of West Tisbury. I wish her well for what I suspect will be a very busy and full life,” said selectman Richard Knabel.

In other news, selectmen authorized town administrator Jennifer Rand to overspend the town’s snow removal budget, due to the high number of heavy snowstorms over the past two months. Ms. Rand said she did not how much extra will be needed to cover the shortfall.

Selectmen also decided that due to a possible appearance of conflict, town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport should not write a legal opinion for the planning board on a request from the Island Housing Trust to modify the terms of the special permit for the 250 State Road affordable housing project. The trust wants to modify the language to conform with bank lending rules by allowing banks or mortgage companies to lift affordable restrictions in the event of foreclosure.

The planning board reviewed the application to amend the special permit on Monday and referred it to town counsel.

Mr. Rappaport wrote to the selectmen to disclose that he is also a trustee of the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, which holds the mortgage for the 250 State Road project. He is not a member of the bank’s mortgage board.

Selectmen decided to err on the conservative side and voted unanimously to ask Mr. Rappaport not to participate in the opinion.

“Personally I don’t think that being a trustee would ever come into Mr. Rappaport’s mind whatsoever when drafting an opinion for the town. And certainly this is no reflection on him — he has done so much for the town for so long. But there is a little red flag here, and I do feel a little uncomfortable,” said Mr. Knabel, adding; “It’s a very important matter. I think I would be much happier if he recused himself.”