A long-planned project to pave Meeting House Way is moving along, Edgartown selectmen said Monday, although too slowly for some residents.

According to a memo from highway administrator Stuart Fuller, the highway department started preparations for paving at the end of the road near Road to the Plains, which is closest to the highway department barn.

Selectman Margaret Serpa said the highway department has had to address more issues than expected when preparing for paving, including clearing large trees and moving utility poles. “They’ve done a fair amount of work,” Ms. Serpa said. “There’s still a lot of prep work that needs to be done.”

Voters agreed to spend $775,000 to pave the roughly two-mile dirt road in April 2015. Residents have complained for years that the road is dusty, dangerous and hard to navigate.

Residents worry the paving project has seen too many delays. — Mark Alan Lovewell

Despite frustrations with the delays, selectmen said this week that the town is saving money by having the highway department do preparation work.

But residents wanted to know more about why the project was taking so long. “We didn’t see any activity over there until October, and so I’m not sure why, from June until now. And the telephone poles are still there, there’s tree stumps everywhere,” said Janice Casey, asking whether there was assurance the project would be done in the spring.

“I think that’s his plan,” selectman and board chairman Arthur Smadbeck said.

Selectman Michael Donaroma said working with the electric company to move poles can be time consuming and projects often drag on longer than expected. “So this project is actually moving along,” he said. “It seems to be tortuous for the people living out there . . . but things don’t happen that fast.”

“I know it’s hard work,” resident Christine White said. “But we’ve also waited a long time, too, and it’s another winter of that road, which is horrible.”

“Hopefully the last winter that road will be horrible,” Mr. Smadbeck replied.

“I just want to go on record that this is extremely disappointing, not only that the road isn’t done but that the communication from the start of this, in my opinion, has not been acceptable,” Ms. Casey said.

In other business Monday, selectmen approved a contract with APD Management based in Tewksbury to help the town find a new police chief.

Former chief David Rossi, who stepped down in late November following a heart attack, told selectmen he recommended the management firm, which will conduct an open assessment process including forming a committee that will take guidance from a variety of departments. “I think it’s a fair and equitable process,” Mr. Rossi said.

Selectmen also agreed to sign a letter of support for Vineyard Wind, which has partnered with Vineyard Power in seeking to build a wind energy project south of the Vineyard.

Vineyard Power director Paul Pimentel said the letter is not in support of wind farms in the area, but instead indicates a preference among potential wind farm developers. He said letters of support had already been granted from other Island towns and state legislators, and that Vineyard Wind would bring money to the Vineyard economy.

“This is all a part of the process of developer selection right now,” Mr. Pimentel said.

Selectmen also approved the removal of two shade trees, a 40-foot Norway spruce at 29 Curtis Lane and a 24-foot European linden at 16 Davis Lane, provided the trees would be replaced. Mr. Fuller, who is also the tree warden, said he agreed with both removal plans.

Animal control officer Barbara Prada updated selectmen about a nuisance dog complaint regarding barking dogs in a neighborhood near Pilgrim Road. Ms. Prada said parties agreed that the dogs could have outdoor playtime between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily. One of the complainants reported that the situation is already much better.

Ms. Prada was also reappointed to her post after a glowing annual review. “You do a fabulous job,” Mr. Smadbeck said. “You set the bar very high for Edgartown, and we really appreciate it. You make our job easy.”

“The animals like you, Barb,” Ms. Serpa said. “I don’t think they run from you,” Mr. Donaroma said.

Selectmen also approved extending last call at Alchemy from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.