Edgartown selectmen Monday established a commercial oyster season for Sengekontacket Pond, the welcome consequence of an oyster propagation project that proved wildly successful. The selectmen voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the town’s shellfish committee, which approved the proposal on Nov. 3.

The commercial season will open on Dec. 1. The recommendation did not include a closing date; selectmen asked for clarification on that issue by their next meeting.

Harvesting will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a daily limit of two level bushels. Oysters can be taken by rakes or tongs only, no dragging is permitted.

The town began growing oysters in Major's Cove about three years ago to help improve the health of the pond. 

Fishermen are only 45 days into the commercial bay scallop season, and in a letter to selectmen, shellfish warden and town biologist Paul Bagnall said only 15 to 20 limits are being landed daily, and it is quickly getting more difficult to gather limits. He advised selectmen that parts of Cape Pogue Gut will be closed to shellfishing in the near future to protect an abundance of scallop seed in the water.

“The committee might consider an oyster season on Edgartown Great Pond beginning in March or April 2016, as a way for income needed due to the lack of bay scallops,” Mr. Bagnall wrote. “Good news is there is plenty of seed for next year.”

Also at Monday’s meeting, selectmen appointed a committee to oversee reconstruction of Memorial Wharf.

“It’s a large project,” said town administrator Pamela Dolby. “Right now they have $250,000 to begin engineering. They will be seeking more at the annual town meeting this year and probably the year after that.”

Most of the funding comes from Community Preservation Act funds. Selectmen appointed Steve Ewing, Richard Barbini, and John Magnuson to the newly formed committee.

Selectmen also voted to reduce the fee for a yard sale permit from $25 to $10. The action came in response to a petition from residents.