The West Tisbury select board selected a designer for the Howes House renovation project on Wednesday night, awarding a $900,000 contract to Falmouth-based Keenan + Kenny Architects.

Plans to upgrade the Up-Island Council on Aging’s town center headquarters have been subject to extensive public input since the project’s April approval, including a focus group completed in conjunction with Healthy Aging MV.

Prior to the vote, select board member Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter, 3rd, who sits on the Howes House building committee, ensured town residents that they would “proceed slowly and carefully,” and continue to consider public input. He also acknowledged the constraints of the project, including existing town infrastructure, historic preservation and accessibility needs.

“We’ve got a long, long way to go,” said committee member Bernadette Lyons.

In other business, the select board made a slew of appointments to town committees. Abby Bailey and Andrew Lester were both appointed to the complete streets committee, Ivory Littlefield and Alex Bullin were appointed to the affordable housing committee and Andrew Zaikis and Jeffrey Kaye were promoted from associate to full members of the zoning board of appeals.

The board also reminded atendees of the town holiday party, which will take place on Dec 8, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall.

—Thomas Humphrey