The investigation into state competitive bidding law violations in Oak Bluffs has ended. Town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport told the selectmen this week that he did not feel it was a good use of the town’s resources in light of the changed behavior and tight finances.

“I have reported to the attorney general’s office that the activity [which prompted complaints] has stopped,” Mr. Rappaport said. “And I must say that I’ve been spending quite a bit of town counsel’s time and money dealing with other issues in the town. I suggested to them [the attorney general] in view of the fact that it had stopped that for me to continue to do additional work . . . was not a good use of town funds and public resources. The office agreed and indicated to me that they were not looking for a report, that that report was satisfactory. What they were looking for, as I think we all are, is to move forward and comply with state procurement law.” The comments came at the weekly selectmen’s meeting Tuesday, four days after town administrator Michael Dutton had resigned.

Selectmen are scheduled to meet again this morning to discuss the next steps to take to hire a new town administrator.

Meanwhile, town highway superintendant Richard Combra Jr. said Tuesday that he had sought help from the school superintendant’s office on proper bidding procedure while the town awaits training from the state on public procurement practices.

“I asked if they would be willing to lend their support staff and their procurement officer [Amy Tierney] to help us come into compliance and begin to do things right in the interim before the attorney general comes to give us guidance on how to do things correctly,” Mr. Combra said.

Mr. Combra vowed to keep selectmen apprised of any town projects that go out to bid in the future.

“You’ll be copied and be able to review before we do any electrical services, plumbing services, any services the town needs to get done over the next few months just so there’s no question that we’re doing things correctly and we’re not in any of these situations again,” he said.

The town was reprimanded by the attorney general’s office last month for violating state bidding laws on a number of projects between 2009 and 2011. Many were highway department projects.

In other business Tuesday, selectmen met with Tony’s Market owner David Richardson who is incensed over a June 28 decision by the board to close Dukes County avenue to parking except for three spots in front of his store. The parking ban came at the recommendation of the town highway department. Mr. Richardson presented selectmen a petition with 515 signatures opposing the ban.

“I was absolutely flabbergasted when I learned Wednesday morning that action had been taken,” he said. “I had no idea this was on an agenda or that anything was going to be done.”

Mr. Richardson noted the poor timing of the decision at the start of the summer season.

“My God, we don’t need the rug pulled out from under us right before the Fourth of July,” he said.

Selectman Mike Santoro said severe traffic and parking problems in the area necessitated the changes.

“Dave, I got to tell you what we observed down there was crazy,” Mr. Santoro said.

“You’re a successful business and you’ve expanded in an area that can’t really handle your success,” added selectman Gail Barmakian.

“The action I recommended to the board of selectmen I didn’t do so lightly,” said highway superintendant Richard Combra Jr.. “I’m sorry we had to do this but it was a safety issue. It’s been a safety issue for quite some time. I personally witnessed big heavy trucks crossing over the double yellow line going head on into oncoming traffic. It’s a real serious problem. Maybe there hasn’t been an accident in recent memory but if someone was to be killed there or seriously injured and the town has had complaints and didn’t take action I would feel terrible.”

Mr. Richardson estimated that his business has lost $4,000 a week since the change.

“Safety is our primary concern,” said selectman Greg Coogan. “I can’t say let’s pull out the signs and watch someone get hurt this summer.”

Planning board chairman John Bradford said his board is working on a mini-master plan for the congested Dukes County avenue area and would meet in September to discuss their ideas.

The town has also prepared a request for proposals to hire temporary accounting services to close its books on fiscal year 2011 and continue to work with the town in the months ahead. Ms. Burton said it would take three weeks to award a contract for the services.

Finally, there was some good news. When Ms. Burton, the chairman, announced the July 22 Division of Marine Fisheries official signing ceremony to reopen the state lobster hatchery for shellfish development, she reflected on the novelty of the moment.

“It’s really exciting with all these difficult times that we’re having to get some help,” she said.