Discussions focused primarily on Menemsha last week when Chilmark selectmen met to gear up for the summer.

The board held a discussion with their new harbor master Ryan Rossi about Dockwa, an online system that allows transient boaters to reserve a mooring or dockage prior to their arrival. The system was launched for use on May 20. Mr. Rossi, who began work this spring, fielded questions from the board about the first few weeks with the new system.

In the first two weeks since Dockwa was launched, the harbor received $93,000 in prospective revenue from online reservations, Mr. Rossi said. The number could change due to cancellations, but he said that already represents half the harbor revenue from the last fiscal year.

Until now harbor reservations have operated on a first-come, first-served basis and transient boaters have had to call in the morning of their arrival to reserve one of the 16 total slips.

Mr. Rossi said the goal of the new system is to make the harbor more accessible to the public, while also making sure the harbor remains, “first and foremost,” a commercial fishing port.

“Our aim is not to increase availability, but based on the availability we have we would like it to be full as much as possible,” he said.

“The majority of transient boaters are happy with the new system,” he added.

Selectmen also discussed licensing for charter and tour bus access to Menemsha in addition to licensing for a prospective tour boat to run out of the harbor. The main concern of the board regarding both business endeavors is the limited parking and dockage space.

“Anything that adds congestion to Menemsha is a public safety concern,” selectman James Malkin said.

But selectman Bill Rossi made it clear that he does not intend to “squelch” any entrepreneurial endeavors.

The board took the request under advisement until the next meeting. They also agreed to establish a set of guidelines for tour buses.

Routine harbor maintenance projects in various stages of completion were also discussed, along with early-stage plans for the new public safety facility on land off Middle Road abutting the town hall. The town will buy the land from the Carroll family in the fall. Money for the land purchase and early design work has already been approved by town voters.

Selectmen also:

• Appointed a search committee to replace fire chief David Norton, who will retire in July.

• Hired two assistant harbor masters and two assistant wharfingers for the summer months.

• Discussed a request from the Tri-town Ambulance Service to increase the visibility and legibility of road signs to aid public safety response.