Two Vineyard Haven restaurants have been cleared to serve hard alcohol along with meals, the first in town to get the go-ahead since a ballot initiative was approved this spring.

After quick, uneventful hearings Tuesday evening, Tisbury selectmen voted unanimously to amend the licenses for Beach Road and Copper Wok from beer and wine to all alcohol. Tisbury voters approved a measure this spring that allows restaurants to expand their offerings for diners to all types of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks can only be served along with food and are restricted to restaurants with at least 30 seats.

A public hearing is scheduled for June 6 to discuss amendments to town regulations regarding such alcohol sales. Selectman Melinda Loberg reminded the applicants that the updated regulations will apply to their amended licenses.

Several other town restaurants that serve beer and wine have filed applications to serve all alcohol.

With regulations for recreational marijuana slated to be discussed on the state level, Tisbury selectmen also decided to examine what it might mean for the town. They agreed to put together a task force including members from the police department, planning board and board of health to help them navigate the coming changes.

Tisbury fire chief John Schilling warned the selectmen to carefully consider whether to hire CVEC to pursue a solar project for the roof of the emergency services facility building. Tisbury previously worked with CVEC, a regional cooperative designed to help develop renewable energy projects, to build a ground-mounted solar display, which has had maintenance issues. Mr. Schilling said the maintenance plan agreed upon for the array was a watered-down version of what he and the building inspector had asked for.

“CVEC has not been able to meet those minimums, they work through subcontractors who they claim they have no control over, and they have not been able to meet the standards that we agreed upon,” he said. He added the issues are not unique to Tisbury, but other towns that work with CVEC have experienced maintenance issues as well. “They have a history of not being able to deliver once the project is in place...it’s one thing to do that with ground-mounted solar arrays; it’s another thing to do that when it’s installed on a building.”

Mr. Schilling suggested the town take on the project itself, rather than contract out to CVEC, adding that 50 per cent of the funds needed are in a contingency fund.

“I’d like to see that project completed,” he said. “Obviously that was part of what we sold to the community, a green and efficient building, and this is a big piece that’s missing from that.”

Selectmen also approved First Fridays, a reoccurring event organized by the Vineyard Haven business association where businesses host sidewalk sales and music in downtown Vineyard Haven.