Neighbors who last year opposed the development of the bowling alley in Oak Bluffs are now complaining about the noise.

Barn, Bowl and Bistro, a new bowling alley and pub on Uncas avenue, opened earlier this month. The project was reviewed by local authorities as well as the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, which mandated a 62-decibel sound limit as a condition of approval.

But neighbors told the Oak Bluff selectmen this week they can hear the bowling balls rolling down the lanes from their homes.

“It sounds like fireworks in August right outside my bedroom,” said David Harte, who lives at 21 Uncas avenue, during a hearing at the selectmen’s meeting Tuesday.

Bowling alley managers have applied for an entertainment license for the two-story facility, but selectmen held off on an approval until the effectiveness of the sound proofing measures could be verified.

Speaking at the hearing Tuesday, developer Reid (Sam) Dunn said rather than relying on what he termed “anecdotal evidence”of the neighbors, the town could apply the “objective scientific standard” of a decibel meter to the situation. Already, Mr. Dunn said he had recorded 70 decibels in street noise, wind gusts, and Mr. Harte’s wind chimes when standing behind his bowling alley.

Building inspector Mark Barbadoro said he and Mr. Dunn would visit the site later that evening when the lanes were in use.

In other business Tuesday, selectmen heard a presentation from the town’s independent water district which is looking to install a solar energy system at a well site off Barnes Road.

The panels would be installed over three acres of woodland near Goodale’s sand and gravel pit and would have a capacity of 500 kilowatts. On an annual basis, the solar array would produce enough energy to offset 30 to 40 per cent of the water district’s electrical bill, which is currently about $100,000 a year, district leaders said.

The contractor will lease the land from the water district, providing another economic benefit. The terms of the lease have not yet been negotiated. The solar panels also would present an extra revenue source for the water district, which is looking to develop another well site at a cost of $7 to 8 million, superintendent Kevin H. Johnson said.

Before it can move forward, the solar project must clear a number of permitting hurdles, so construction will not likely begin for another year. In order to install the panels, contractors would remove trees within the three-acre area. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program will conduct a survey to determine impacts on wildlife. In the future, the water district hopes to expand the solar installation within the 45 acres under its ownership near the Goodale pit, consultants said Tuesday.

“If there is a second phase, the ultimate size of that will be determined,” said developer Mike Marsch of BlueWave Capital, LLC.

In another matter, the Oak Bluffs Association came before the board seeking relief on police detail costs. The local business association hosts two major events each year: Harborfest in June and Tivoli Day in September.

After enjoying minimal costs for police details for many years, the associated was charged about $1,200 for security costs associated with Tivoli Day last fall, the popular open-air market on Circuit avenue, executive director Christine Todd said.

“We didn’t anticipate this,” she said, referring to the police bill. “We were looking at what we paid two years ago.” While she committed to paying last year’s bill in full, she wondered if her organization might pay less next time since the event brings business to the town.

The selectmen were hesitant to oblige, noting that many nonprofits and community groups pay for police details when they host events in town. Erik Blake, the town police chief, said his budget can no longer accommodate extra personnel to cover events since the town’s financial crisis several years ago.

“In the past I have been able to have special police officers but my budget doesn’t support that [anymore],” the chief said.