The Massachusetts School Building Authority officially approved plans for the new Tisbury school last week. The state committed more than $14 million to the project, pending approval at town meeting.

“We are in the home stretch of this process with the MSBA,” Tisbury school building committee chairman Colleen McAndrews told selectmen Tuesday night. In order to secure the state funding, the town will have to approve the project within 120 days.

The estimated total budget for the school is more than $46 million, so the town would be responsible for the remaining $32 million. The building committee’s decision to use a three phase “design bid build” model rather than using one construction manager for the whole project lowered the total slightly from previous estimates.

At town meeting, voters will have to approve the whole budget: $46 million, even though a portion of it will be covered by the state.

“We are conservative in these budgets because we certainly don’t want to go to the voters and get the project approved, and then have to go back a year later and say we need another million dollars because the estimates are low,” said Richard Marks of Daedelus Projects, the consulting firm assisting the town with cost estimates. He said $2 million will be returned to the town of New Bedford for a similar project that was completed under budget.

The Tisbury school was built in 1929, and hasn’t seen a significant upgrade since the 1990’s. Advocates for a new building say the classrooms aren’t equipped for modern teaching methods. Two temporary modular units have been in use since the early 2000s

In his presentation to selectmen, Mr. Marks said according to preliminary plans, the new school will be situated on the east side of the lot, rather than the center. It will be three stories and include a new gymnasium with entrances that make it accessible for public use. School activities will continue in the existing building during construction of the new facility on the east side of the lot.

The anticipated completion date for the project is August 2021.

In other business, selectmen voted to approve a wine and beer license for Bobby B’s Seafood and Pizza located on Main street in Vineyard Haven.

Discussion was somewhat contentious given the outdoor seating at the restaurant and the potential proximity of alcohol consumption to the sidewalk in the center of town. The town of Tisbury doesn’t allow bar service, meaning customers can only be served alcohol at a table with food.

“We’ve never had outdoor booze in Tisbury as of yet. Or if we have, I didn’t know about it,” selectman Tristan Israel said.

Restaurant owner Bob Breth reminded him about the upstairs terrace at Rocco’s, the outdoor tables at the Black Dog, and the outdoor patio at Waterside Market.

“It’s somewhat different,” Mr. Israel said.

Selectman Melinda Loberg read a note of concern from a nearby church about the outdoor alcohol. Mr. Breth said having the license would allow the business to regulate consumption. Before, customers were allowed to bring their own alcohol and drink it on the premises.

Mocha Motts owner Tim Dobel and Mansion House owner Josh Goldstein both spoke in support of Mr. Breth.

During the town administrator’s report, selectmen had a lengthy discussion of Beach Road improvements between Five Corners and Winds Up. Selectman Israel voiced concern about lack of planning for sea level rise. Improvements will be funded through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation using federal infrastructure money. Work is expected to begin on the area in 2019.

Selectmen also approved a request to increase rates by Bruno’s Rolloff, pending approval by Oak Bluffs selectmen. That approval followed a discussion on Jan. 23 when selectmen questioned the source of some of the increases. At the request of selectmen, Bruno’s owner Greg Carroll presented a more detailed outline of the company’s increased expenses Tuesday night.

Selectmen also approved plans from the Vineyard Haven Business Association to continue first Friday events over the summer.