Greenwood selectmen Tuesday tabled a liquor license application for Ringside Bar, a business proposed for the former site of the Mt. Mica Rarities gem shop.

Citing concerns about traffic exiting the downhill driveway that enters Route 26, the board decided to ask for input from the Maine Department of Transportation and the town attorney before making a decision.

The sports bar is proposed by Tom Boughter of Waterford, who said he owns several other businesses.

He said he would like to take advantage of the traffic flow to and from Mt. Abram, Sunday River and the casino in Oxford.

“I’m trying to get more traffic to stop through here, and maybe start generating some additional businesses on Main Street,” Boughter told selectmen.

He said there would be room for about 40 cars, and the building could hold 85 to 90 people.

Some food would be served, he said, but not full meals. The bar would not be seasonal, he said, and would operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

But there were worries. Town Manager Kim Sparks said she had heard from two residents, one of whom was concerned about parking and sight distance exiting the property, and another who did not provide reasons but simply opposed the plan.

Joan Seaman, a nearby seasonal resident, said she was concerned about noise, which she said could “affect a lot of campers who are used to having it quiet.” She also worried about traffic flow near the bar.

Resident Betsey Foster said there could be safety problems created by people who had been drinking who then drive down the hill and enter Route 26. She also noted two nearby intersections with Route 26 – Howe Hill Road and the Gore Road.

Selectman Arnie Jordan said he had driven down the driveway and it was “scary.” He said it is difficult to see traffic past a ledge near the driveway, and vehicles traveling through the village do not necessarily observe the 35 mph speed limit.

He said he would like to see business in town, “but I just don’t think it’s the right place.”

Jordan also felt townspeople should have more input on the plan, but he did not think many were aware of it.

Selectman Amy Chapman said while she shared many of the concerns, she did not think the board had a legal basis to deny the application.

The board uses state law as a guide for liquor applications. Among reasons to deny them are previous convictions of the applicant for certain crimes; noncompliance of the premises or its used with local zoning or other land use ordinances; a record of waste displosal, health, safety or other violations; and repeated incidetns of breaches of the peace, disorderly conduct or vandalism.

“I have reasons for concern but I don’t see any of them here,” said Chapman.

She said because it would be a new business, there is not yet a “track record” on which to judge some of the criteria, and they could only be considered under a license renewal.

Boughter was not required to bring his proposal before the town’s Planning Board because the businesss housed in the building would still be retail and is not considered a change of use, according to town officials.

Chairman Fred Henderson agreed there did not appear to be reason to deny the liquor license application, adding he felt neutral about the overall proposal.

Building owner Phil McCrillis said in the years he had operated the gem shop, he did not recall a single accident caused by someone leaving the driveway.

But the selectmen agreed the traffic safety concerns were a reason to take a closer look, and they eventually voted unanimously to table the application until its Dec. 17 meeting.