Chilmark selectmen heard updates on town finances Thursday, reviewing recent grants and outstanding Covid-related expenses as the town moves into the next fiscal year.

According to town administrator Tim Carroll, in the previous fiscal year, between the tri-town, the town and the library fund, the town spent $40,000 in Covid-related expenses. So far this year, the town has spent roughly $15,000 between those three entities.

On Thursday, Mr. Carroll said he plans to recapture the funds through the use of three main funding sources, hoping to keep the expense out of the town’s general fund.

The town is in the process of filing reports for $36,000 worth of CARES act money it received earlier in the year. The awarded grant was part of a total possible $80,000 allocation, Mr. Carroll said, noting plans are in the works to apply for the remainder of the sum to cover any expenditure through Dec. 30.

Mr. Carroll said he plans to use a portion of the town’s recent $5,000 election grant, as well as funds from a $10,000 Massachusetts Board of Health grant. The board of health grant will also be put towards outstanding town expenses from the prior fiscal year, including outstanding bills for mask signage and banners this summer, he said.

Mr. Carroll also noted that some town funds set aside for Covid might have to be put towards technological repairs, including upgrades to the town’s email server, which crashed last week.

In other business Thursday, selectmen heard updates on an ongoing project to renovate the HVAC system at the Chilmark School. After years of planning, Mr. Carroll said the town recently finished negotiating a contract for the project’s design and construction with TE2 Engineering, the consulting firm hired to advise on the project.

The contract has already been signed by TE2 and is awaiting a signature from town officials, Mr. Carroll said. Once signed, the town will go out to bid in January or February, with plans to begin construction in the spring or summer.

Selectmen also reviewed plans to sell a property on North Ridge Road, which went on the market late in September but received no bids during the designated bidding period.

Mr. Carroll said the town recently received word from a real estate agent of an interested buyer, who viewed the property on Thursday. He also noted ongoing conversations with town counsel about the prospect of formally hiring a real estate broker to market and sell the house on behalf of the town.

Selectmen granted Mr. Carroll permission to continue conversations with counsel.

In other business, selectmen voted unanimously to approve a 1.4 per cent increase to the cost-of-living adjustment, based on the recommendation of the Human Resource Board. An official vote on the measure will take place at the upcoming financial committee meeting, Mr. Carroll said.

Finally, as tighter pandemic restrictions from the state went into effect Friday, selectmen also agreed to reach out to local boards of health to determine if any other measures for social distancing can be put in place in Chilmark. Selectmen plan to meet formally with the board of health on Nov. 18.