Edgartown selectmen voted Monday to close Cape Pogue Pond to commercial and recreational scalloping, following the recommendation of the town shellfish committee. Town shellfish constable and biologist Paul Bagnall said there are very few adult scallops in the pond, but an abundance of immature seed scallops.

This season, bay scallopers have faced a double-edged market. Because scallops, prized up and down the East Coast, have been scarce this year, shellfishermen have had trouble catching their limit of three baskets a day. But because the supply is low, the wholesale price is high.

“Because of the high price, it’s worth it to go for one or two bushels,” said Mr. Bagnall told the selectmen. “If it’s just marginal, it doesn’t make sense to go through 20 bushels of seed to get a peck of scallops.”

Selectmen agreed to reopen Cape Pogue waters on March 7, if biologists say it is warranted.

“A week prior to that we’re planning on getting out onto the pond and do a survey,” Mr. Bagnall said. “We’re only going to open the areas that are warranted.”

Scallopers can still fish in outside waters, and dip net for scallops in Sengekontacket Pond.

Also Monday, energy advisory committee member Paul Pimental presented selectmen with a proposal to engage a private company to install solar energy collecting canopies in the Dark Woods satellite parking lot off Upper Main street.

The Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC) is gauging interest from area towns. If there is enough interest, CVEC plans to issue a common request for proposals (RFP) on behalf of all participating towns. Tisbury selectmen took up a similar request last week.

A vendor would be selected to install the canopies at its expense. The vendor would then sell the electricity on its own. The town would negotiate a lease, and collect an annual rental fee for use of the town owned parking lot.

“There are a few issues to be managed but in general, it seems like an excellent use of the space,” said Mr. Pimental. “In general, the committee is very much in favor.”

He said the project design would have to leave room to operate for tour buses and trucks that use the Dark Woods lot.

Selectman Arthur Smadbeck asked whether the town should build the canopies on its own and realize the profit from selling solar electricity.

“We have the expertise here, yet we’re talking about doing this with a group outside,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “It would also behoove us to see what else is out there. That’s an analysis that needs to be done.”

If CVEC moves forward with the RFP, it will ask the town for a letter of intent, most likely in early February.