The Edgartown select board and planning board appointed master plan steering committee member David Ignacio to the planning board in a contentious vote this week.

Four candidates applied for the position to fill a mid-term vacancy. At the start of the select board meeting Monday, select board member Arthur Smadbeck voiced his support for landscaping business owner Alex Morrison.

“I’m truly gratified for Alex Morrison, that I’ve known since he went to school with most of my kids,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “… A young person who’s willing to take time out from his business life to serve and support this board means a lot to me.”

All three members of the select board voted in favor of Mr. Morrison, but all four members of the planning board voted in favor of Mr. Ignacio.

Lucy Morrison, the chair of the planning board, said she voted for Mr. Ignacio because she wanted someone who was familiar with the master plan, a document the board has been drafting since 2021 that outlines how the town should be managed. 

Ms. Morrison, who is not related to Mr. Morrison, said Mr. Ignacio has been working with the master plan steering committee since it formed in 2020. The board plans to approve the master plan by the end of the year.

“Getting somebody on board for [the approval] from basically zero, and it’s a huge document, would just be a lot of homework,” Ms. Morrison said when asked why the planning board voted against Mr. Morrison.

Mr. Ignacio will take over for Scott Morgan, who had to leave the planning board when he moved out of Edgartown. Mr. Ignacio will fill the vacancy until April, when the position will be up for election. 

Mr. Ignacio will have to run for the seat if he intends to keep the position.

Mr. Morrison said he’s still deciding whether or not to run against Mr. Ignacio in April.

“With the select board’s support, I think I’m definitely considering running,” Mr. Morrison said.