After five years of participation in the state Community Preservation Act (CPA), West Tisbury voters will have a chance this spring to decide whether it is time to part ways.

At Wednesday’s West Tisbury selectmen’s meeting, the board voted to put an article on the annual town meeting warrant that would allow the town either to withdraw from the CPA altogether or lower its tax burden to support the program. West Tisbury joined the CPA five years ago and taxpayers are assessed a three per cent surcharge on their property tax bill to support open space, and historic and affordable housing initiatives in the town. The money has been used in recent years, among other projects, to fund the town hall and First Congregational Church renovations as well as a number of affordable housing initiatives. Although the state originally matched the town monies 100 per cent, the number has fallen to around 40 per cent.

If town voters decide to do away with participation in the CPA at town meeting, a second vote would also be needed at the next state election in November 2012.

Selectman Richard Knabel cautioned that the question will go on the warrant not because the selectmen disapprove of the CPA but rather to give voters a choice.

“We’re not saying that we think that’s a good idea; the question is whether or not we should put it before the voters,” Mr. Knabel said.

Selectman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter said it is time for the town to withdraw.

“Back when it was a dollar-for-dollar match, even I thought it was a good idea,” Mr. Manter said, adding: “I think because of the reduction it’s kind of lost its excitement and all the things we’re spending CPA money on we could fund through a normal warrant article.”

Also on Wednesday Mr. Knabel read a letter concerning the use of dirt bikes at Nip ’n’ Tuck farm off State Road. Although farm owners Fred and Betsy Fisher decided to shut down the track voluntarily last month, the town zoning board of appeals had been awaiting an opinion from town counsel on the legality of the use. In the letter town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport said the dirt bikes did not meet the definition of a “permissible accessory use to an agricultural use.”

Mr. Rappaport added that in his opinion the provisions of the property’s agricultural preservation restriction did not permit the use of the bikes. Mr. Knabel said someone from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture had conducted a site visit to the farm earlier in the day and would render a decision on the matter as well.

Also on Wednesday selectmen voted to extend the commercial oyster season, which was originally scheduled to end on Feb. 28, until April 27. Shellfish committee member Virginia Jones said bad weather prompted the request for an extension.

“Any of the fishermen who have been fishing have not had much opportunity to go,” she said. “Either there’s been ice on the pond, it’s been too cold, it’s been too rough, it’s been sleeting and snowing.”