The Seafood Shanty will have to keep the noise down this summer, the Edgartown selectmen decided Monday.

Responding to complaints from neighbors over the past five years, selectmen voted to require the harborfront restaurant to contain the volume of live music on the property.

The complaints appear to stem from the fact that the restaurant often opens the doors to its outdoor the deck during live music performances. Attorney Sean Murphy said this week his clients hope to continue that tradition, so that all restaurant customers, including those seated outside, can enjoy the entertainment. And he downplayed the complaints.

“In five years, there have been three complaints,” Mr. Murphy told the selectmen on Monday. He asked that the Shanty be allowed to keep the doors open for acoustic performances. For louder music and deejay appearances, the restaurant would close the doors.

“I think the idea of having non-amplified entertainment with the doors open, as a trial, would probably be okay,” said selectman Arthur Smadbeck.

Selectman Michael Donaroma agreed, but said that the owners would have to be vigilant. “I’m not one to try to stifle business. Most any bar has music going,” he said. “I think the restaurant owners really do bear the burden of keeping [noise] on their property.”

But Bob Colacray, who lives nearby and owns the charter catamaran Mad Max, said the noise has grown progressively louder over the years, and he asked for stricter control. “I think it’s very important, if you want to give them this opportunity, that it’s totally non-amplified music,” he said. The selectmen finally decided to require the Seafood Shanty to keep all noise contained on the property, but said they will allow the deck doors to remain open.

“If it becomes a problem, it’s going to end quickly. You have our word on that,” said Mr. Murphy.