Chilmark is taking a step forward on the long-awaited Peaked Hill Pastures affordable housing project.

The select board approved the allocation of $50,000 last Tuesday to begin designing the utility system for the proposed development. The money is from the town’s Molly Flender Affordable Housing Trust.

The project has been worked on by several town committees since 2018. In 2022, voters approved the request for proposals for a project with nine rental units and four homesite units. 

Since then, there have been numerous setbacks, including zoning hurdles and funding gaps. Much of the project still needs to be hashed out, but town officials wanted to have at least some movement to capitalize on state funding. 

Last October, the project won nearly $1 million from a state grant that required matching funding from the town. Town officials were concerned that if they didn’t dedicate any money, the grant could expire.  

Putting in power at the site marks some of the first significant progress since the idea went to town meeting three years ago, according to select board members.

“I think getting moving on the utilities is the place to start,” select board member Matt Poole said at a meeting earlier this month.