The Aquinnah selectmen agreed this week to explore a possible expansion of the Philbin Beach parking lot after a spokesman for a group of families that owns abutting property offered to gift a small parcel of land to the town for the purpose of expansion.

Speaking on behalf of the Seven Families Trust, Jessica Roddy told the selectmen Tuesday that the group of families is willing to give the town the sliver of land directly abutting the beach and parking lot in exchange for two parking spaces for the trust. The trust owns the beach lot that runs straight up and over the dune off the Philbin Beach path. The town beach is to the left.

“I know you guys need more parking and we’re willing to give this to you. We don’t care; we don’t want to pay the taxes on it. Obviously we will, but it means nothing to us,” Ms. Roddy said. “We’re happy to have the town own the land.”

“I’d be interested in pursuing this,” said board chairman Spencer Booker. “I think it’s worthy of a conversation.”

Ms. Roddy said most of the families who share ownership of the parcel do not live in Aquinnah and do not have Philbin Beach stickers. Philbin Beach was given to the town by Halliday Philbin with the restriction that only Aquinnah permanent and seasonal residents may have access to the beach. A recent case in federal court saw the restriction upheld; the case was brought by a taxpayer who owns land but not a home in Aquinnah and wanted a Philbin Beach sticker.

District of critical planning concern rules prohibit new parking lots on the south side of Moshup Trail; selectmen said they would consult town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport on the matter.

Meanwhile, Ms. Roddy asked the selectmen to place signs directing beachgoers to the town beach away from the dune owned by the trust, traditionally used as a footpath to the beach.

“People are very used to going over the dune at this point; without a sign I think people will be confused and unhappy,” Ms. Roddy said. She said the trust intends to put up no trespassing signs.

The selectmen also set Sept. 18 for a meeting with the leaseholders at the Gay Head cliffs. Selectman Beverly Wright said the early fall meeting would be a good time to talk about issues when the summer season is still “hot and fresh in their minds” to begin planning for next year.