Edgartown selectmen have agreed to allow political floats in the town’s Fourth of July parade this year, a deviation from longstanding tradition.

Two of the four candidates running for Dukes County clerk of courts requested permission to have floats in the parade, outgoing town administrator Pamela Dolby told the board at their weekly meeting Tuesday.

Longtime clerk Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. will not seek re-election this year.

Mr. Sollitto is also the parade organizer, and he said he didn’t have a problem with the political floats, Mrs. Dolby told selectmen.

“In the past nothing political [was allowed] in the parade,” she said. “Times have kind of changed since the rules put together 40 to 50 years ago... Mr. Sollitto said he has no problem with it but he isn’t going to change the rules.”

Selectmen agreed to allow the candidates to join the parade provided their vehicles are decorated with red, white and blue and they do not pass out information. Candidates are restricted to one vehicle.

“It might add some humor to the whole thing,” selectman Michael Donaroma said.

In other business, selectman Arthur Smadbeck raised concerns about proposed changes to town representation on the regional high school committee. Currently all Island towns are represented on the high school committee through appointed members from individual town school committees. Mr. Smadbeck said he recently learned about a proposal to turn the committee into a regionally elected body.

“This is a terrible idea, and I think it’s very important that we discuss this with the school committee and go to the regional meeting and tell them why we think this is a terrible idea,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “We have students from ninth through 12th grade that deserve to be represented by people who are elected from Edgartown. To have people in Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury or any other town voting for the person that’s going to take care of our students is wrong and it’s going down the wrong path.”

He added: “I think it’s a very serious issue. It’s being just pushed along without any discussion in our towns. It would be a huge change.”

Selectman Margaret Serpa said the change would have to be approved by town voters. She also raised concerns about changing the school funding formula so Edgartown would pay more.

“That’s never going to happen,” Mr. Smadbeck said.

Selectmen agreed to ask members of the Edgartown school committee to come to a meeting next week, and discussed attending an upcoming high school committee meeting.

The board also signed off on insurance details for a request for proposals (RFP) to lease and renovate the town-owned Yellow House. A town committee has been fine-tuning a second RFP after going through a process last spring that was found to have legal concerns.

Procurement officer Juliet Mulinare told selectmen that the new RFP will likely be issued next week, with proposals due July 16.

Selectmen also approved the removal of three public shade trees by the Hob Knob Inn, and a change to town aquaculture regulations. Following the recommendation of the shellfish committee and town constable Paul Bagnall, the maximum size of rafts allowed on aquaculture lease sites on Katama Bay will increase from 650 to 770 square feet, with limitations on length and how high cages are stacked on rafts.

After some discussion selectmen agreed to send a letter to the Harbor View Hotel and the Vineyard Gazette about a proposal for a single-file parade of cars going from Bend in the Road Beach to the Harbor View Hotel on June 17 for the annual Car-B-Q Classic. Ms. Serpa said she wasn’t sure how the cars would travel single file in that area at a busy time of year.

Selectmen agreed to send a letter suggesting police detail should be hired to lead the car parade.

The town is also searching for a volunteer to serve on the council on aging board. Mrs. Rose said the town has not received any letters of interest for the position despite advertising the open seat.

“If they have nobody by the Fourth of July we’ll put a float in the parade,” Mr. Smadbeck said.

The meeting began with a changing of the guard. James Hagerty, selected two weeks ago by selectmen as the next town administrator, was sworn in by town clerk Wanda Williams.

Mr. Hagerty’s wife, Alessandra, their daughter Julianna, and their young son William were on hand for the short ceremony. Clerk of courts Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. and register of deeds Paulo DeOliveira also attended.

“Congratulations and welcome aboard,” Ms. Williams said.

Mr. Hagerty thanked the board for their confidence in him.

“It’s an honor,” he said.

Mr. Hagerty then took Mrs. Dolby’s usual seat at the table next to selectmen. Mrs. Dolby remained at the meeting, and has said she will stay on board for a time to help with the transition.