Chilmark selectmen Tuesday evening discussed asking the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to review plans by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) to build a bingo hall on tribal land in neighboring Aquinnah, citing the negative impact the project could have on public safety and town roads.

Chairman of the selectmen James Malkin said he’d looked into filing a discretionary development of regional impact (DRI) referral form with the MVC, but ran into difficulty filling out the form due to the sparse amount of information available about the project.

“The form is very difficult to fill in when there is no applicant who is asking for permission and there is no plan that has been proposed,” he said. “I am working with various people in order to submit the referral within their guidelines.”

The discussion comes just a few weeks after Aquinnah selectmen sent a letter to the MVC asking them to review the plans for the class two gambling facility as a DRI. At a meeting of the MVC last week, MVC executive director Adam Turner said he had informed Aquinnah selectmen that the MVC will address the issue once they receive a formal DRI referral.

In other business, selectmen gave updates on the hiring process for the positions of town harbor master and fire chief.

At a selectmen’s meeting last May, longtime Chilmark harbormaster Dennis Jason announced he would retire this summer, effective June 30.

Mr. Malkin said a town hiring committee has received applications from six candidates and will recommend finalists to interview at a special meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Town administrator and assistant fire chief Timothy Carroll said he is working with current fire chief David Norton on the hiring process for a new chief after Mr. Norton’s contract ends on July 31 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65. Mr. Carroll said the existing contract allows Mr. Norton to stay on in a newly formed administrative position if he chooses.

Mr. Carroll emphasized that a long-term strategic plan recommended by town fire chief liaison Don Leopold needs to be created that outlines the expectations of the position before hiring a new chief.

“The job has gotten to another level in the last 10 years and we need to look at that,” added selectmen Bill Rossi. “We need to look 10 years ahead.”

Selectmen also discussed recommendations from Mr. Leopold to upgrade the town’s rustic road signs so first responders can more easily locate homes during emergencies. Mr. Malkin said Mr. Leopold and Mr. Norton will discuss the issue at length at the March 5 selectmen’s meeting, and the recommendations have already been received well by fire and EMS crews.

“They were most welcomed by the Tri-Town Ambulance people, where minutes are very important in responding,” he said.

Selectmen Warren Doty also cited the need for a master plan to address staffing issues with the town’s all-volunteer fire department.

Mr. Malkin agreed.

“Volunteer fire departments are getting harder and harder to staff. This is going to be a serious issue for us,” he said.

Mr. Carroll said renderings from town consultant Pacheco-Ross for a new Tri-Town ambulance barn and firehouse on the recently purchased Carroll lot behind the town hall are expected by the March 5 meeting.

Selectmen agreed to reach out to Bill Austin of Vineyard Land Surveying to draw up proposals from Katie Carroll and Barbara Armstrong for a new parking reconfiguration in Menemsha. Selectmen last month decided to delay plans for a bus turnaround at the comfort station to allow for alternatives that will be reviewed at the end of the season.

Mr. Malkin emphasized that the process needs to be expedited in order to have the new parking plan in place in time for the summer rush.

“Next thing you know we’re going to be in May,” he said.

Selectmen also approved a request from the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust to prohibit the public from boarding commercial fishing boats at the annual Meet the Fleet event at Menemsha Harbor. The request also included plans for a Coast Guard helicopter rescue off the beach.

“That’s going to be eventful,” said Mr. Rossi.

Mr. Malkin said a special information meeting on the short term rental tax law is set for March 4 at 12:30 p.m. in the MVC offices. He said state representatives Dylan Fernandes and Julian Cyr, along with an official from the state Department of Revenue, will be on hand to answer questions.