Voters turned down a Town Meeting article to maintain Sprague’s Cove in May, but something still has to be done with it, said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

Now, Selectmen need to decide who will be responsible for the area.

The cove has largely become filled with phragmites, an invasive reed. In the past, efforts were taken to remove the fast spreading plant, but the presence of phramites on adjacent properties made the task even more difficult.

Currently, the Sprague’s Cove property, which includes a large section of the Silvershell Beach parking lot, is under the control of the Recreation Committee. That committee has no members at present.

“The issue is what to do,” said Dawson. “There is a petition circulating around town that will request control be transferred to Marion Open Space Commission. We need to spend a little time and determine how best to approach it.”

The transfer would have to be done at Town Meeting, said Dawson. He suggested that both the Marion Open Space Commission and the Conservation Commission be brought in to speak with Selectmen and come up with a solution to the issue.

Dawson said the two commissions could present their proposals on what to do with the cove maintenance. He also suggested a local expert come in to educate the board on the issue. Voters would make the final decision at Town Meeting.

Selectmen also discussed the possibility of splitting the property in two between the marshland and the parking lot, which would have to be brought before the Planning Board.