The first phase of research is complete for the Edgartown tidal energy project in Muskeget Channel, project developer Steve Barrett told the selectmen at their weekly meeting Monday.

Mr. Barrett, director of clean energy at Harris, Miller, Miller and Hanson, and researchers from the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies presented one of three environmental studies under way on the impact of building a tidal engine structure in the channel. The center for coastal studies research focused on protected species and fisheries research where they collected existing information on what is known about sea turtles, whales, seals and other large species.

Edgartown was awarded a $600,000 federal grant in September 2009 to launch studies for both wind and tidal projects that would generate electricity for the town. Mr. Barrett has been coordinating the work, also with the assistance of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Massachusetts Audubon Society.

The coastal studies team collected published data but found little research when it came to the impact on threatened or endangered species from tidal engines.

“We found there really hasn’t been directed research on marine mega-vertebrates in this area; however there are federally endangered and threatened species that have been sighted,” said Pat Hughes, marine policy coordinator at the center for coastal studies. “Most of the information we have . . . is based on opportunistic sightings — people out on boats or flying over.”

She said Muskeget hosts the largest population of gray seal pups in the country.

“We’re really at beginning stages of understanding a little more about the area and have a lot more to understand,” she said.

Mr. Barrett said after the meeting the team will now follow up with field work and aerial surveys.

In other business, the selectmen continued to press for more information about billing and accounting issues with the town water department over a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

Town accountant Kimberly Kane said all receipts have been submitted and she is now waiting to hear back about $171,600 in government reimbursements.

In a joint meeting with the library board of trustees, selectmen appointed Denise Searle to fill an unexpired term on the library board. The term will run until the annual town election in April.