The Tisbury select board turned its attention to waterfront maintenance Tuesday, voting in new waterway regulations and a contract for a long-term dredging project in Tashmoo.

First on the agenda, selectmen opened a formal public hearing to discuss an addendum to a waterways regulation that would grant raft permits to commercial fishermen in Lake Tashmoo.

According to selectman James Rogers, who presented the regulation, the measure would allow commercial fishermen holding mooring permits or leases to apply for a raft to store equipment in the water between Hillman Point and Drew’s Cove.

Under the new rule, the town will offer five raft permits, granted by harbor master John Crocker, with a wait list for additional applicants. The harbor master may refuse permits in sensitive aquatic areas, Mr. Rogers said, and the provision can be revisited after the town formally concludes the ongoing reappointment process of its new waterways committee.

All three selectmen and Mr. Crocker voiced their support for the measure, noting the importance of supporting the town’s commercial fishermen.

“We’re all dedicated to commercial fishermen and their ability to make a living on the waterways. It’s a long time custom in Tisbury and on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard,” said Mr. Rogers. “We’re trying to solve a problem that commercial fishermen are currently having in the Lake Tashmoo area.”

During public comment there were questions from town residents, including whether permits apply to aquaculturalists.

Mr. Crocker said aquaculture moorings were a separate item, citing a provision already in place for up two aquaculture moorings at each fishing site.

Tisbury Waterways Inc. president Lorraine Wells voiced concern about at passing new regulations before a permanent waterways committee is appointed. “Why not push the waterways committee forward to be identified and formed and have them really take a look at all of the regulations?,“ she said.

But selectmen stressed the importance of filling current needs and revisiting the provision later. “This allows us to move on and try and mediate a situation and make it better for the public in general at Lake Tashmoo,” Mr. Rogers said.

Following discussion, the selectmen voted unanimously to close the public comment period and approve the new regulation.

In other business Tuesday, the selectmen reviewed a contract for a dredging project in Lake Tashmoo slated to begin later this fall.

According to Mr. Crocker, the project to dredge and redistribute sand from Lake Tashmoo was approved by the conservation commission, who agreed to grant an order of conditions at a meeting last week. The town will collaborate with the Woods Hole Group consulting company, the land bank and the Edgartown dredge committee on the project, Mr. Crocker said.

The project is slated to begin in early November, Mr. Crocker said, with details on how to distribute the sand still under discussion.

Along with Tashmoo, the Woods Hole Group is also looking to mount a comprehensive dredging project that would address need in the harbor and other waterfront areas over the next 10 years, Mr. Crocker said.

Lynne Fraker, who urged the board to take its time working out the details of sand distribution and final grading for the project.

“I think the final grading is really important,” she said. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it certainly has to be graded . . . I think it’s a little more important than just plopping the sand.

Acknowledging the concerns, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract.

Also Tuesday, Mr. Rogers previewed updates on the Tisbury School building project that will be announced in a joint meeting between the building committee, selectmen and the finance committee next week. The meeting will cover the project’s budget, architectural plans and next steps for the protracted renovation project, Mr. Rogers said.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m..