Menemsha will once again be the setting for a scene on screen, this time a European television movie.

Chilmark selectmen this week approved a request by Paul Van Wormer, production manager for Van Wormer International, to use the Menemsha Texaco gas pumps as a backdrop for the scene in a German movie described as similar to the U.S. series The Love Boat.

Mr. Van Wormer had already received permission from Texaco owners Marshall and Katie Carroll, on condition that the filming does not interfere with regular business at the gas station.

But approval was not unanimous.

“I myself do not support this,” said selectman J. B. Riggs Parker. “[Menemsha is] not a place for making movies on a commercial basis.” A spectator at the meeting remarked that Menemsha has been the backdrop for several feature films, including Sydney Pollack’s Sabrina and Stuck on You, directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly.

Selectmen Warren Doty and chairman Frank Fenner Jr. both voted to approve the request, suggesting that the production company follow the lead of other film crews by making a donation to a children’s program at the Chilmark School.

Mr. Van Wormer said a small crew will film on a single day, either Oct. 23 or Oct. 24, for approximately two to four hours. “I really take a lot of care in my locations,” the production manager said. “I’ll be there. I will give it my personal attention. Vehicle traffic and foot traffic will have the least impact possible.”

Police chief Brian Cioffi said he would have to bring extra officers into Menemsha on the day of filming, but he saw no real problems.

The film is part of a 30-year running series, with scenes filmed in different ports of call around the world. Mr. Van Wormer said the shows are family-friendly and suitable for audiences of all ages. The village of Menemsha will not be identified in the film.

In other business, selectmen rejected two bids for the utilities and partial road construction portion of the Middle Line Road housing project. They approved a third bid from Farrell Electric Inc. of North Eastham for $137,814, which the company later withdrew due to an illness in the family. The other two bids, from Robert Young Electrical Contractor and Powers Electric Inc. were for $194,000 and $274,825 respectively.

Selectmen voted to keep the $6,000 deposit from Farrell Electric, return the deposits from the other two companies and re-advertise for bidders. The town originally budgeted $160,000 for the project.

Scallop season opened in Chilmark for family permit-holders on Oct. 1. Selectmen discussed opening the season for commercial scalloping on Monday, Nov. 2., but did not confirm the date.