As the Saturday morning West Tisbury Farmers’ Market shifts to its winter venue at the Agricultural Hall, talks have resumed about relocating the summer market there as well.

Concerns about traffic congestion in the heart of the West Tisbury village on Saturday mornings came to a head this summer, as long lines of cars snaked out of town every Saturday morning. Many were headed to the Grange Hall for the weekly outdoor market.

Farmers’ market co-manager Lily Walter told the West Tisbury selectmen last week that a committee has been appointed to fully explore the issue.

“A lot of people, their livelihood depends on this market,” Ms. Walter said. “Stakes run high for a lot of our vendors. It’s a very sensitive subject.”

Matthew Dix, who recently began work a director of the Farm Hub for the Island Grown Initiative, is serving as a liaison to lead the group and talk to different stakeholders.

Market co-manager Collins Heavener said the market hopes to network with other businesses in the village.

“I know we’re one of the bigger players, but it seems responsibility is spread around downtown,” he told the selectmen. “It’s a much bigger issue than moving . . . are we not just kicking the can a couple hundred yards down the road?”

Police chief Dan Rossi agreed that the market is not the sole cause of the village traffic jams, with people also headed to 7a and Alley’s, the Congregational Church, the Field Gallery, library and gas station. “It’s everything in this area” he said. “It’s not just the farmers’ market by any means.”

The chief said moving the market to the Agricultural Hall could increase traffic on Panhandle Road. He noted the relatively brief nature of the problem, lasting for about eight Saturdays during peak summer season.

“There’s not enough parking at 7a and Alley’s, but they’re not going to enlarge their parking lot for eight weeks . . . traffic jams aren’t anything new. This has been going on for years,” the chief said.

“We know what the issues are,” said selectman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter 3rd, who is also a police sergeant. “There’s no easy solution at hand. It is what it is . . . I don’t think it’s a bad thing for the center of town. It’s a social event on Saturday mornings, the whole complex here . . . for eight days in the summer I don’t see it as a bad thing.”

He added: “I don’t like change. I haven’t quite gotten used to the fair moving there [to the Agricultural Hall].”

Selectman Cynthia Mitchell said the discussion about moving the market shouldn’t focus on traffic alone, but also on whether the Grange Hall offers enough space or is the right location.

“I’d like to hear what people think in terms of, call it economic development for farmers,” Mrs. Mitchell told the vendors. “Is the farmers’ market in its present location limiting opportunities for people other than you all.”

Allowing increased access and more programming “might benefit the community more than the Saturday tradition of having the farmers’ market in town,” she said.

Ms. Walter said vendors with all points of view will be invited to join the discussion.

Mr. Manter said he looked forward to continuing the discussion.