The Spitzer administration may be tightening its grip on power over Roosevelt Island, with residents claiming it is backing away from a pledge to open the island’s governing board to elections.

For years, residents of the island have been pushing for self-governance, as the governing body that controls the island, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, is run by nine appointees of the governor, five of whom are serving despite expired terms. More than 9,000 people live on the island.

Earlier this year, the new president of RIOC, Stephen Shane, who was appointed by Governor Spitzer, told residents he was committed to allowing the community to elect representatives that would be strongly considered for appointments to the board, with a vote likely in the fall.

His statements caused glee among community leaders, who have for years felt handicapped by the original agreement for the 1960s-era planned community that set in place the board.

Ever since, residents and elected officials say, the Spitzer administration seems to be tamping down expectations, rebuffing calls to sign a commitment to the idea.

Assemblyman Micah Kellner said the Spitzer administration on Wednesday refused to give him a letter assuring the community it would consider the winners of an election for board appointees.

“It’s really been rather disappointing,” Mr. Kellner said. “This is a perfect example of where you could do public authority reform.” The Spitzer administration said it wants the ability to block unqualified selections.

“It’s certainly open to the candidates that they will present,” a spokesman for the state’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal, Dan Irizarry, said. “We want to make sure that whoever gets on that board has the appropriate background.”

Signing any documents could violate existing agreements, Mr. Irizarry said, so the state’s commitment will be a verbal one.

For many residents, a firm, verifiable commitment is a prerequisite for any elections.

“If they’re not willing to give us in writing, then it doesn’t exist,” the president of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, Matthew Katz, said.

Mr. Katz said he had been working on a memorandum of understanding with the state for months, a document the administration at one point seemed likely to sign.

“There has been this universal backing off,” he said, adding that the state originally approached him with the idea. “It came to me, not the other way around.”