The Edgartown planning board unanimously approved a temporary mobile telephone tower on Chappaquiddick, clearing the way for greatly expanded coverage for AT&T cell phones beginning this summer.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission approved the proposal last week.

In granting a special permit for the 104-foot structure, the board required a review after six months and a bond to cover the cost of removing the tower if AT&T decides not to move forward with a permanent solution to provide better cell phone reception on the small island off Edgartown, where reception had previously been spotty to non-existent.

“The fire department, police department, (superintendent) Chris Kennedy from the Trustees of the Reservations, all urgently need this,” planning board member Alan Wilson said at the board’s meeting Tuesday. Mr. Wilson lives on Chappaquiddick, but said his home is too far from the tower to benefit from expanded service.

“From a safety point of view there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I’m one of those who would just as soon not have a tower, but we see the need.”

Joining Mr. Wilson in voting for the plan were chairman Michael McCourt and members Robert Cavallo and Robert Sparks. Fred Mascolo did not vote, because he missed one of the previous hearings, but spoke strongly in favor of the plan.

The tower will be erected on Sampson avenue, near the center of Chappaquiddick, on a lot owned by Bob Fynbo. An 84-foot tower that provides Internet service for some residents is already located on the site.

The new tower will be 24 inches in diameter, with all antennas and equipment concealed inside the tower.

Mr. McCourt stressed that the special permit authorizes a temporary tower for one year.

“We’re fortunate to be able to check this out on a temporary basis, and then make a decision,” he said.

AT&T representatives said the company is working on a permanent solution to provide cell phone coverage on Chappaquiddick. That plan will likely require another review by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and will require another separate planning board review, which will include public hearings.