WOODSTOCK – Voters at a special town meeting Tuesday authorized selectmen to apply for a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant to assist with the construction of a restaurant and conference center adjacent to the Mollyockett Motel.
Before the vote, Terry Ann Stevens of the state Office of Community Development told the assembly that the business owners, Tim and Francis Buck, “will cover repayments if the project should fail.”
Tim Buck added, “I have already signed a paper absolving the town of all responsibility. The paper has been given to Town Manager Vern Maxfield and everything should be set that is needed to protect the town.”
Francis Buck then explained the scope of the project on Route 26, saying that it will include a 100- to 150-seat restaurant, an Internet room with a big-screen TV, and a conference room that can be used for weddings, special meetings and other community activities.
“We want to work with the community,” she said, “and be a good neighbor in all ways.”
Stevens pointed out that she feels positive about the chances of the project’s fulfilling the grant requirements, as it will be adding more than 20 full-time jobs to the area.
“We will be considering this as a business assistance grant with a maximum award of $400,000, and we will be overseeing the project every month to follow its progress. And as it goes forward, checks will be released to the town and the town will forward the money to the contractor. If there should be any problems in the future, the town can go through my office or the Maine Municipal Association legal department for any help it needs. The MMA has been through this before and they can give any advice you need,” said Stevens.
After discussing the project and grant process, the vote to authorize the selectmen to go ahead was 12 in favor, with one abstention.
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