Less than four months after voters approved a major restoration plan for Squibnocket Beach, the Chilmark selectmen have acquired two properties near the beach, where the plan calls for a new parking lot and a new access road to the homes at Squibnocket Farm.

At their meeting Tuesday, the selectmen signed brief letters of thanks to former property owners Anthony Orphanos and Wendy Jeffers, and the family of Peter Weldon. With approval from voters at a special town meeting in February, the town has purchased the two properties for $175,000 and $150,000, respectively. Both were valued at $142,000.

The deeds were recorded at the registry of deeds on Tuesday.

“We had a good negotiating process back and forth,” selectman Warren Doty said. “It turned out to be very successful and we are very thankful that the landowners were able to work with us.”

Selectman Jonathan Mayhew noted some disagreement over the selectmen’s choice to ask voters at the annual town meeting in April for permission to take the two properties by eminent domain. But he said that both the town and the landowners “were adamant about what we wanted.”

The article was withdrawn on the town meeting floor since agreements were already in hand.

“Everyone was happy in the end,” selectman Bill Rossi said. “That’s all that matters.”

Also this week the board considered a request to install an upright piano outside the public library or the Chilmark Community Center. “The instrument would serve a dual role as a muralistic artist’s medium and an open opportunity for musical expression,” Island musician Andy Herr wrote in a proposal. “In the interest of instrument preservation, I intend to remove the piano at an appropriate time in the fall.”

Mr. Herr plans to commission several local artists for the installation.

Selectmen offered cautious support for the idea, requesting that Mr. Herr first obtain a letter of approval from the library.

“Get the blessings of the library and we will probably say yes,” Mr. Rossi said.

“I think it’s a very good idea, but at the same time you have to think about it and see what the logistics are,” said Mr. Mayhew, pointing out that it was a new concept for the Island.

Mr. Herr wrote that he was inspired by Play Me, I’m Yours, a global project by British artist Luke Jerram that began in Birmingham, England, in 2008. More than 1,300 public pianos have been installed in 46 cities around the world, including 75 in Boston and Cambridge in 2013.

“The drive behind this project is to draw in and connect as much of the island’s artistic community as possible,” Mr. Herr wrote. Local caregivers would cover the piano overnight and during inclement weather. Mr. Herr would also provide a sign with etiquette guidelines.

He believed the Chilmark library was an appropriate location since it would be far enough away from residences to avoid noise issues. He added that “the potential for abuse and graffiti is absolutely the lowest in this town.” But he plans to pursue the idea in other Island towns as well.

The selectmen may revisit the issue at their June 2 meeting.

In other business, selectmen approved a long list of annual staff and committee appointments. Vacancies remain for the positions of associate member of the conservation commission and assistant shellfish constable.

Mr. Doty said the previous assistant shellfish constable had worked well but had often needed to be away for days at a time. He said constable Isaiah Scheffer, who was unable to attend the meeting, is rethinking the type and amount of help that he needs. “He really needs more help than he has been getting and his program has been really good,” Mr. Doty said.

The estimated value of the town’s commercial and recreational scallop harvests for the 2014-15 season was just under $530,000 according to a report by Mr. Scheffer. “That’s unbelievable,” said harbor master Dennis Jason, who attended the Tuesday meeting.

Reached by phone on Wednesday, Mr. Scheffer agreed it had been a successful year. “We have had a couple good years like that, but the price was extra high,” so there was more effort by fishermen this year, he said. He added that many more recreational bushels were harvested than usual.

The average lowest price for both commercial and recreational scallops ranged from $16 to $19 per pound during the season, which ran from October to April.

But Mr. Doty believed the full economic impact of the harvest was at least three times the estimated dock value. “I think it shows how much value we have in our shellfishing program,” he said. “And I think that’s why we could justify an assistant constable that has more hours.”

Menemsha Basin and Dutcher Dock Creek is closed to shellfishing from May 1 through Oct. 31. Mr. Scheffer said the closure is an annual precaution in light of the effect of boat traffic on water quality. The Division of Marine Fisheries will examine the area in the fall and decide whether to reopen it for shellfishing.