WOODSTOCK – Following a Tuesday meeting with Mollyockett Motel owner Tim Buck, selectmen authorized Town Manager Vern Maxfield to compose a letter to the state seeking a permit for a new motel entrance off from Route 26.

According to Maxfield, selectmen did not vote to support Buck’s request for a new entrance but made it clear they would support the state doing a traffic study to consider a new entrance and lowering the speed limit along the highway there from 55 to 40 miles per hour.

“The reason for Mr. Buck’s request is that he hopes to build a restaurant between the motel and Hadley’s Garage,” said Maxfield, “and that will require a new entrance. At this time, however, the state is concerned that the restaurant means a change of use for the site but is willing to look into the issue further.”

The request to lower the speed limit will be considered after a traffic study.

Also at the meeting were garage owners Erland and Keith Hadley, who made it clear they support the change of use and building the restaurant abutting their business.

Until the state completes its work, construction on the restaurant is on hold.

In other business, selectmen were given the 2005 budget request by Tri Town Ambulance and Rescue Service Chief Norman St. Pierre.

The budget shows an increase of about 50 percent, mostly due to service’s mutual aid costs with PACE Ambulance Service of Norway, he said.

Selectmen will consider the request for inclusion in the town meeting warrant when it is put together for next March.

Maxfield also said that he has talked with business owners in Bryant Pond Village regarding a proposed Route 26 bypass, “and I find some owners are favorable and some are not.”

“After bringing the issue before the selectmen they decided it would be a good idea to meet with the business owners as a group to discuss the matter further,” he said.

A another meeting will be called to discuss the matter.