Menemsha fishermen Tim Broderick and Alec Gale were awarded the use of a lot along the Menemsha Harbor for their mussel and fish-buying business, at a joint meeting with the Chilmark selectmen and the parks and recreation committee Tuesday night.

The two fishermen are partners in an offshore mussel farm venture, and need space to process the mussels. Louis Larsen Jr. agreed to give up the use of the building on the lot, which he has used for several years for storage and fish buying. The small shingled building is not currently being used as a retail outlet, and will have to be altered to meet state code for processing mussels.

In a letter to the selectmen dated Nov. 25, 2009 Mr. Broderick and Mr. Gale wrote: “[We] have recently dedicated a large portion of our time, energy and finances to the open ocean blue mussel longline project. Though in its pilot stage, we intend to step up production by deploying more longlines, as soon as possible . . . What we need is a building capable of providing an area for processing mussels and also provides refrigerated space and ice making capability; to enhance the efficiency of the fish buying business.”

Selectman Warren Doty said roughly 25 people attended the Tuesday night meeting. “It’s a lively issue for people working in Menemsha,” he said. “Lots of Menemsha fishermen came; they’re very involved in this decision.”

Mr. Doty said the town’s main concern is to maximize use of the waterfront, in a way that benefits the local fisherman.