A group of Chappaquiddick residents who believe a rental property on the small island runs afoul of town zoning bylaws brought their concerns before the Edgartown selectmen this week.

Earlier in the summer, Chappy residents came to the planning board and the board of health to express concern about rental homes owned by Stephen Olsson. According to the board of health, the homes were advertised on a vacation rental site as having bedrooms beyond what was permitted. Residents were concerned that the properties represented commercial use in a residential area.

With a few dozen fellow Chappaquiddick residents in the audience, Siamak Adibi came before the selectmen Monday to suggest solutions so the situation did not come up again.

“I’m very concerned that the law is not being obeyed,” Mr. Adibi said, suggesting that abutters receive appropriate notice when projects may have a negative impact, that properties should be inspected to ensure compliance, the creation of a dedicated housing inspector, and requiring a special permit and public hearing for buildings that will be used primarily as rentals in residential neighborhoods.

Planning board assistant Georgiana Greenough said if the building inspector finds out about a nonconforming development, it is reviewed and notice sent to abutters. But in other situations, there is not a way to notify abutters. She also said that buildings are subjected to electrical and plumbing inspections.

Town administrator Pamela Dolby said the planning board was working on new guidelines for transient residential facilities, and selectmen said they felt current staff are able to adequately address concerns.

Attorney Rob McCarron, representing Mr. Olsson, said the current enforcement system works and he criticized the idea of creating a whole new system to address one situation.

“It just seems to be ridiculously overkill,” Mr. McCarron said. He said Mr. Olsson did advertise the house for more bedrooms than permitted and has since changed the advertisement. “There’s almost a mob mentality of let’s get this guy,” he said, noting that Mr. Olsson has done his best to comply with regulations.

“Don’t go on a witch hunt,” Mr. McCarron said.

“The planning board is going to be addressing this,” said selectman Margaret Serpa. “That’s where this discussion needs to be continued.”

In other business, the selectmen heard from Josef Nocera, who has been playing guitar on Main street this summer with an open guitar case beside him.

According to Edgartown police Sgt. Craig Edwards, Mr. Nocera has been told several times that he needs a license. “We’ve dealt with him night after night,” he said.

Mrs. Dolby said Edgartown does not have busker permits, and that musicians are allowed to perform on Edgartown streets,but are not allowed to ask for money.

“We’ve never stopped anybody,” she said. “We don’t charge anything . . . we just ask that they not put out a collection.”

Mr. Nocera said he had been harassed by the police. “People can decide to give me a dollar; they can decide to walk on by,” he said, saying he felt his freedom of expression rights were violated, and that he has a petition with 120 signatures supporting him.

Some of Mr. Nocera’s supporters attended the meeting as well, saying his music adds to the tourist experience.

Selectman Serpa said she was disappointed Mr. Nocera didn’t come to the selectmen before, and that he continued to play after being told not to do so. “You were told that you could not solicit money,” she said.

Selectmen said that Mr. Nocera has the right to play music, but does not have the right to ask for money. They decided to refer the issue to town counsel.

Mr. Nocera’s father, Richard, said his son would not be deterred. “He’s going to busk tonight,” he told selectmen. “You can arrest him.”

The selectmen also gave the go-ahead to the acquisition of a fire rescue boat for the town. Police chief Antone Bettencourt said a $200,000 fire rescue boat, which the town has been applying for grants to acquire, became available to the town as part of government surplus.

The town would have to spend money to power the boat. The selectmen approved the acquisition.