The Edgartown select board this week approved a plan to block a part of Peases Point Way in the height of the summer season to allow for the setup of a modular home.
The board voted 2-0 Monday to temporarily close a section of Peases Point Way South on July 15 to allow Squash Meadow Construction to erect the building.
The proposal raised concerns with some town officials, who noted that the town usually doesn’t allow contractors to block the streets in July.
“Ideally, that’s a September, October job,” said Edgartown police Chief Chris Dolby.
“When we stand out there and direct traffic, and I get all the calls, the first question is, who approved this in July?” the chief said. “But that’s why we come before the board to discuss these things.”
Squash Meadow Construction said it will need to close the road for 10 to 15 minutes at five different times throughout the day. The company expected the house to be set and the roadway cleared at some time in the afternoon.
Chief Dolby agreed to set up a detour through High street and Water street to enable traffic to get around the closure along Peases Point.
“It seems to me that between the police, the highway, and these guys who have done it before, that they ought to be able to do this without more than one day,” said select board member Art Smadbeck.
Also Monday, the select board welcomed Julia Tarka, who participated in her first meeting as a member since winning at the April 16 election.
This article appears in May 1, 2026.