Chilmark will undergo a study of its organizational structure to figure out where it is stretched too thin and identify how to adapt to the changing needs of the town.

Selectman James Malkin brought up the idea at the select board meeting on Tuesday. Recent growth – both from a population and infrastructure standpoint – have put the municipal staff under increasing pressure, so a closer look is needed to figure out ways to provide relief, Mr. Malkin said.

“We really haven’t changed our organizational structure…while the town has grown both in terms of population, in terms of the regulations to which we need to comply, the demands put upon our staff,” Mr. Malkin said.

Don Leopold, a member of the human resources board who has experience conducting similar studies, will lead the review, Mr. Malkin said. Mr. Leopold will conduct confidential interviews with town staff to gather information on current roles, how responsibilities are delegated and the relationships between staff members. The goal is to have the interviews completed by the end of August.

“We are going to be doing a thorough and appropriate review of what we need to do, how we do it and what we can do to respond to the needs of the town and its citizens,” Mr. Malkin said.

The broader discussion was prompted by a request by town treasurer Deb Barnes to hire a part-time assistant for August through October. Ms. Barnes said she could use someone to help with day-to-day tasks because big ticket items, like financing the public safety complex project and an upcoming audit in September, have been the focus.

“I’m just going to keep my head down and keep moving as fast as I can, but it would be very helpful if we could put someone up here with me for at least 10 hours a week,” Ms. Barnes said.

The request from Ms. Barnes received unanimous support from the select board.

“I think this is a very good idea; it’s a very good opportunity, so I support this 100 per cent,” selectman Warren Doty said.

In other business Tuesday, the select board voted to hire a consultant in order to put out a request for proposals to build an affordable housing project on town-owned land at Peaked Hill Pastures.

The project, which was approved by voters at the April town meeting, will result in 10 rental and four ownership units on 10 acres of land.

Fred Khedouri, a member of the subcommittee overseeing the project, said a consultant is needed to help take the plan from a broad sketch to a formal plan for developers to bid on.

“We all felt that it would be extremely helpful, accelerate the process and make sure nothing out of line with the formalities was done in the RFP,” Mr. Khedouri said.

Mr. Doty also informed the board that the schedule for shuttle buses to and from Menemsha at sunset is back on track. Originally the Vineyard Transit Authority informed the town it would not be able to provide shuttle service one night per week due to a staff shortage. But the issue was ironed out after a meeting between town officials and the VTA, Mr. Doty said.

“The meeting with the VTA was very positive,” Mr. Doty. “Now we have service seven days a week.”