West Tisbury selectmen came under pressure Wednesday from residents calling for the town to enact a mandatory face mask rule and create more public health awareness through signs.

Selectmen agreed to post more signs about safety guidelines, pending approval from the board of health. But they said any order requiring masks would fall under the purview of the board of health.

Town administrator Jennifer Rand said she had received multiple letters from residents asking the town to enact a mask order similar to the one enacted by the Edgartown board of health last week.

The Oak Bluffs board of health was also set to vote Thursday on a mandatory mask rule for downtown areas.

Residents who attended the meeting Wednesday urged selectmen to take action.

“We are watching more and more people arrive unaware of what the rules are,” said Joy Robinson-Lynch. “Can’t we just tell people to wear masks?”

Selectmen expressed support for the idea, but said a mask order would be difficult to enforce, especially since West Tisbury does not have a defined downtown area.

Masks are already required on the path to Lambert’s Cove Beach.

Selectmen said hey would continue discussion with the board of health.

Residents attending the meeting also suggested more educational signs are needed around town.

“What the Island has not done as a whole, as a region, is create a culture around wearing a mask,” said Laura Silber. “You see signs in Oak Bluffs, you see roadside signs in Vineyard Haven and you see nothing when you drive through West Tisbury.”

Selectmen agreed to pursue the sign issue, also with the board of health.

Selectman Cynthia Mitchell, who is executive director of Island Health Care, said the chief public health nurse at her center is also undertaking a mask awareness campaign.

— Will Sennott