Drive-in movies at the YMCA will continue, after Oak Bluffs selectmen gave a green light to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival Tuesday to keep the popular outdoor film program going through the winter and early spring.

Brian Ditchfield, managing director for the film festival, attended the selectmen’s meeting held by Zoom Tuesday with a request to continue the drive-in at the Y until April 1. The new partnership emerged between the film festival and the Y this summer as an alternative to the many film festival events that had to be shut down due to the pandemic.

The drive-in has proved popular, often selling out, and has included outdoor entertainment with local musicians.

Mr. Ditchfield told the selectmen that the film festival and its partners are “really proud that we were able to bring some safe entertainment to the community during these times.”

He also said the festival has been approached by Island schools, including the high school drama department and the Minnesingers, who are interested in hosting events this winter at the drive-in. One idea currently in the works is a drive-in movie instead of a homecoming dance, Mr. Ditchfield said. He also said RISE dance studio has asked about running a film version of their holiday performance.

“We want to continue to be a resource for the community and keep the drive-in going during the winter months,” Mr. Ditchfield said.

Selectmen Gail Barmakian called it “a wonderful program and venue.”

Selectmen Brian Packish agreed. “It’s well run, it’s an asset and I hope it’s one of the things, as we make our way out of Covid, that continues on.”

In other business Tuesday, selectmen engaged in a testy exchange with town health officials over the recent decision to close Vineyard avenue to vehicle traffic on Halloween for trick-or-treaters.

The board voted to approved the measure at a meeting Oct. 13.

On Tuesday health agent Meegan Lancaster and every member of the board of health expressed concern and alarm at the prospect of encouraging a large gathering of people. Most other Island towns have canceled Halloween events and are encouraging people to stay home, using guidance from Gov. Charlie Baker as the number of cornoavirus cases sees a new spike statewide.

Ms. Lancaster said the decision to close the street constitutes an event or gathering, and that town health officials were not notified by the selectmen.

“There seemed to be a communication lack between our board and your board,” said William White, a member of the board of health.

Selectman and board chairman Jason Balboni took a different view. He said he did contact Ms. Lancaster on the day of the last meeting to say the street closure was on the agenda. And he disputed the notion that the street closure amounts to an event. “We closed Circuit avenue down every Sunday this summer and it was not an event,” Mr. Balboni said. “We closed Vineyard avenue [on Halloween] . . . for public safety because we know there are going to be people out there. Vineyard avenue is one of those roads that’s a little bit dark and a little bit quick as you come down the hill. So, for public safety, we thought it would be the smartest thing to do. At that time and still at this time, I don’t consider us creating an event.”

Mr. Packish agreed. “I don’t see this as a creation of an event, I see this is an attempt to create space and social distancing and room for people to not be on top of each other,” he said.

Police chief Erik Blake said his department has closed the street in years past without the selectmen’s approval.

“For years it was the call of the person who was in charge that night . . . the bottom line is on the fly we are going to make a decision that night whether you guys vote to shut it down or not. If it’s unsafe, we’re going to shut down the road,” the chief said. He also said there will be four to five extra officers on duty Halloween night in addition to two community service officers.

Board of health member Tom Zinno said his board was concerned about having an overseer of the street to make sure state guidelines are being met. “We just want to tag someone to be responsible to make sure everyone knows what the game plan is for this,” Mr. Zinno said.

The exchange went on.

“What are you going to do . . . about Pennsylvania avenue, Alpine avenue, Pacific avenue and every other town street that’s going to be covered with trick-or-treaters,” Mr. Packish. “I don’t hear anything about an appointed representative there. I don’t hear anything about CSO officers there. What I hear is, our chairman had a misstep in somebody’s opinion and here we are.”

Selectman Greg Coogan stepped in to cool the heat. “We need to work with Meegan and the board of health to make it as safe as we can from now until then,” Mr. Coogan said. “I totally agree that we’re in a tough spot right now because things are not looking up and we have to be really careful. There’s no harm in trying to make this better and that’s all I ask.”

Mr. Balboni proposed that Mr. Coogan, Ms. Lancaster, Chief Blake and town administrator Robert Whritenour all work together to ensure a safe Halloween in town.

Also Tuesday selectmen:

• Voted unanimously to appoint Patrick Hickey as the new wastewater department facilities manager. Mr. Hickey has worked in the department for the past two years.

• Recognized James Monteith and Lisa Merritt, who have both retired, for their years serving the town in the wastewater department.

• Signed off on the Nov. 14 special town meeting warrant.