Only about 60 Tisbury voters had checked in at the gym by 7 p.m. Wednesday, but after several people used their cell phones to call others, moderator Deborah Medders announced a quorum of at least 101 at 7:22 p.m.

“The fire marshal will not allow us to lock the doors, but don’t even think about getting up unless it’s to go to the loo,” she said, before providing directions to bathrooms down the hall.

Voters unanimously approved the town’s $41.6 million budget for fiscal year 2026, including the creation of two new, year-round town jobs — deputy shellfish constable ($70,000) and conservation agent ($55,412)) — and another $40,000 for a part-time, contracted inspector of short-term rental units.

Shellfish constable Danielle Ewart told voters she currently has two part-time assistants, one of whom is past retirement age, while her department’s responsibilities have been growing under new state regulations.

Lynn Fraker opposed the article, saying the money would be spent more effectively on a shared position reporting to both the shellfish and harbor departments.

Shellfisherman James Tilton backed Ms. Ewart’s request, saying shellfish constables are required by state law to monitor the health of town shellfishing areas.

“If people get sick, they can get very sick and... that’s why there needs to be enough people to handle that, along with all the other responsibilities,” he said. “And as far as spending the money is concerned, a lot of money gets spent here. I would rather see money spent to pay someone decently for a decent job.”

Voters approved Ms. Ewart’s article unanimously and passed every other remaining article, pausing for discussions only to clarify some of the articles.

Tom Robinson, who chairs Tisbury’s conservation commission, said the position of conservation agent will allow the town to hire for the role currently performed under contract by Jane Varkonda, who is retiring at the end of the year. The $55,412 article reflects expanded duties for the conservation agent, who is currently budgeted at $37,000, Mr. Robinson said.

“The general feeling with... the members of the conservation commission and Jane was that given the more [state] reporting requirements and so forth, that the position needed at least twice as much time,” he said.

The $40,000 for a short-term rental agent is a stop-gap measure until the building department is able to hire a staff member, building commissioner Gregory Monka said.

The position has been widely advertised for some time, but no qualified candidates have come forward, Tisbury human resources director Pam Bennett said, noting a statewide shortage of building inspectors.

“We have put it out everywhere,” Ms. Bennett said. “These positions are extremely hard to fill.”

This week’s town meetings were the first since 2022 to take place at the Tisbury School, which recently underwent an $81 million renovation and addition including an all-new gymnasium. They were the first town meetings ever for Mr. LaCivita, who took over as town manager at the beginning of March and was directly affected by more than one warrant article.

Although voters killed the plan for housing him on town property, they approved a new bylaw increasing Mr. LaCivita’s powers over hiring and firing, finance and technology.

This annual town meeting also was the last for longtime treasurer Jonathan Snyder, who announced at Tuesday’s meeting that he will retire in January, 2026.

Ms. Medders, who retired as moderator in 2023, returned to the podium this week after her elected successor was unable to complete his term. Greeting the assembled voters Tuesday evening, she noted that town meetings have been taking place in Massachusetts since the 1630s and were instrumental in starting the American Revolution.

“In the spring of 1776, town meetings in Massachusetts were voting on articles and resolutions providing instructions to their representatives in the Second Continental Congress, which would convene about four to five months later, renouncing ties with Great Britain and advocating for an independent American republic,” Ms. Medders said.

On Wednesday, Ms. Medders paid tribute to James H.K. Norton, whose name was mistakenly left out of the town report’s memorial section.

Mr. Norton, a retired professor who died last November at 93, was a strong supporter of the Vineyard Haven library and of the Tisbury School, which presents an annual award in his name to eighth-graders excelling in technology, Ms. Medders said.

“We know Jim Norton’s legacy will live long in the students, schools and community that he cared so much for,” she said.

The town election takes place on May 13 at the Emergency Services Building. Voting hours are noon to 8 p.m.