Chamber President: Powder Ridge Sale Will Promote Region's Economy

At last week's Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Durham/Middlefield Division meeting, unanimously passed the motion to support Middlefield’s proposed sale of the 250-acre Powder Ridge ski area to Alpine Ridge of Wyoming. 

I applaud Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw for laying out the framework for a solid proposal that will bring Middlefield back to being a wintertime destination for skiers and snowboarders in the state and county. 

The framework is so solid because the agreement ensures that Alpine Ridge can use the land strictly for an “outdoor recreational facility,” as Middlefield’s specific zoning regulations indicate. Also, no more than four owner/manager/caretaker residences can be constructed on the site. With this language of the agreement, the control is in the hands of the town.

The framework of the agreement affords Alpine Ridge the best opportunity to get the business up and running quickly so as to become an economic driver for the region.  The purchase price for the land is $1 million with only $300,000 due upon closing and $100,000 due in each of the next seven years, without interest.

Pundits will contest that at the price of $1 million, the town is basically giving the land away. This assessment cannot be further from reality. Because of the zoning restrictions on the land, it is unfair to look at it as land that can be developed for a residential or industrial type of area — which is not best for the town under any circumstance.

One million dollars for this type of land, to be used in the manner that the town wants it to be, is a fair market price. Allowing Alpine Ridge to only pay $300,000 up front and $100,000 each subsequent year allows the company to use its capital to invest in the property. It will bring forward returns on its initial investment much more quickly this way.

What brings everything together here is the stipulation that Alpine Ridge is obliged to spend $2 million of its capital on permanent construction improvements within two years of closing.

This plan is clearly the best way to bring the Powder Ridge ski area to a condition that will make it better than ever with more modern amenities. This is an area that, for years, was a staple of Middlefield and Middlesex County.

First Selectman Brayshaw made a great analogy at last week’s Durham/Middlefield Division meeting. He said that taking Powder Ridge away from the town of Middlefield is similar to taking Mystic Seaport away from the people of Mystic and the shoreline.

Opponents have come forward who do not want the area restored. It is one thing to oppose the project, but to oppose it without just cause is a closed-minded stance. I encourage everyone to get out to the public hearing in Middlefield May 24 at 7 p.m. to support this very important project.

At the Arrigoni Bridge Committee Meeting May 13, the committee went over previous issues with local leaders, businesspeople and Department of Transportation officials, in addition to coming to some definite conclusions.  The first of these conclusions is that there is a contractor that has been selected for the project — Middlesex Corporation.

The DOT announced that it will dedicate two employees that the Chamber can contact throughout the repair process who will be direct links to DOT. The start time of the repair will be June 15.

We are quickly approaching our May 20 breakfast meeting with Geno Auriemma and Role Model of the Year Tina Charles. 

Not only will we honor Tina for her achievements on and off the court, we will also honor the Portland and Valley Regional girls’ basketball teams for their achievements this season. 

For information, call Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or email matthew@middlesexchamber.com.