The emergency response to Hurricane Earl was praised and questioned by the Chilmark selectmen this week. At the selectman’s meeting Tuesday, town emergency management director Bill Smith reported that things had gone smoothly up-Island, and police Chief Brian Cioffi concurred, saying there had not been the same confusion about road closures as there had been down-Island.

Chief Cioffi said he advised residents that unless word came from Gov. Patrick’s office about a driving ban, there would not be a police presence on the roads. “I made that very clear. All my staff knew that, anyone who asked us knew that,” Mr. Cioffi said. “It’s just common sense.”

“Thank you for using common sense and being levelheaded with the storm,” Mr. Fenner said.

Mr. Cioffi said police had to man the Squibnocket Beach parking lot and the Red Cross shelter, set up at the Community Center. The chief said he found it helpful to have lifeguards on staff as well to assure public safety.

“The important thing that we learned is . . . history is being made. Ten years ago we didn’t have surfers like we have today,” Chief Cioffi said. “It was a good thing staff was there delivering message with us. Those are good lessons, and policy could be put in place, but each storm has a different dynamic to it.”

Mr. Smith agreed. “I’d rather be accused of overreacting than under-reacting,” he said.

Fire chief David Norton said he had several firemen on standby, but after keeping an eye on the weather over the course of the night decided to go to bed.

“I wasn’t going to listen and get everyone else in a dither in case we were needed,” he said.

“The northeaster that we had two weeks ago was worse than what we had from Earl,” the fire chief added.

“I think that it’s good that we had this review. The shelters worked great and I commend all of those that worked hard to make them happen,” Mr. Fenner said.

In other business Tuesday, selectmen reviewed a 10-article warrant for a Sept. 27 special town meeting that will include $1.5 million in requested spending to rebuild the West Dock after the July 12 fire at the Menemsha Coast Guard boathouse. If voters approve, the town will borrow the money to do the work.

Also on the warrant is a request for $300,000 for renovation work at Tea Lane Farm on Middle Road, which is owned by the town and the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank. If voters approve, the money will come from the town Community Preservation Act and stabilization funds.