Chilmark selectmen began reviewing rental agreements and guidelines for the Middle Line Road affordable housing project this week, and if all goes as planned, families may move in as soon as Sept. 1.

Administered through the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, the six rental units and six affordable home sites will be available for applicants at 65 per cent of median income and above. Rent for the apartment units will range from $726 a month for a one-bedroom for someone who makes about $35,000 a year to $1,600 a month for a three-bedroom for someone who makes $75,000 a year.

The first town-owned affordable housing project has been in development since 2003. The project is located off Tabor House Road.

Chilmark residents, town workers, municipal volunteers and emergency service workers will be given preference over other applicants. “There’s a question for local preference that hasn’t been addressed in the rental procedures clearly enough, but it’s understood and will be written in,” housing authority director David Vigneault told the selectmen on Tuesday night.

“It honors the intent of the town,” he said.

Town housing committee members discussed details of the rental terms, including a pets clause, no smoking, rules for exterior adornment, painting and rent schedules.

Selectman Frank Fenner questioned the expenses associated with the rental units.

“I’m trying to be responsible to the town and the taxpayer and I want to see it paid back at some time, that at some point this will be an asset to the town, no matter how little rent they owe,” Mr. Fenner said. “But I also feel squeezed. I see the rents coming down a little bit but I also see a lot of expenses on this side.”

Mr. Fenner questioned a management fee of $6,467 that goes toward a property manager and represents 10 per cent of the rent income.

Mr. Vigneault said the rate is standard for the housing authority with all of its properties, but he said it could be negotiated down.

The selectmen will take a final vote on the rental rates at their May 17 meeting.

The board will also discuss changes proposed by shellfish constable Isaiah Scheffer to the town shellfish regulations at a later meeting. The shellfish committee completed a first draft of an overhaul to the regulations, but it was the first time the selectmen had a chance to review the changes.

Selectmen also continued an ongoing discussion about revising the harbor master’s job description.

And they discussed the need for repairs following the torrential storm last week that brought over five inches of rain and caused more than $25,000 in damages. The road to Lucy Vincent Beach was washed out and will cost $18,000 to repair; Tea Lane and Meeting House Way will need some $3,000 in repairs as well.

Town executive secretary Timothy Carroll said he was still waiting to see a cost estimate for repairing the telephone system at the police station damaged by the storm.

Selectmen granted a common victualer’s license to Joel Glickman and Jennifer LoRusso, the new tenants for the Chilmark Store.