Attorney: Town Will Not Consider Former Owner's Proposal for Powder Ridge

Just two days after former Powder Ridge owner Kenneth Leavitt went before Middlefield's Board of Selectman with a new plan for Powder Ridge ski area, a letter has been sent to Leavitt informing him that the town will not consider his plan.

"This office has advised the Board of Selectman that it should not consider any other offers for the Powder Ridge Ski Area so long as the Town remains under contract to sell the property to Alpine Ridge, LLC," the letter, sent to Leavitt by the town's attorney, Kenneth Antin, reads.

The letter is dated August 18.

On Tuesday, Leavitt said he hoped to open a family resort called by next summer. The proposal called for zip lines, a water park and various outdoor activities, according to Leavitt, as well as a new restaurant.

He said his plans would cost "$2 to $3 million plus" and would create as many as 150 seasonal jobs, during the summer and fall. Leavitt told the board he was willing to work with Alpine to make the ski area a year-round resort.

After hearing the proposal First Selectman Jon Brayshaw initially proposed that the board schedule an Executive Session to discuss Leavitt's plan, but selectman Mary Johnson urged Brayshaw to consult Antin before making any decision.

In the letter sent to Leavitt Thurdsay, Antin says the town is bound by its contract with Alpine, which has agreed to buy the property for $1 million.

Brayshaw was not available for comment Friday. Selectman Ed Bailey said the letter "speaks for itself."

An email sent to Leavitt Thursday was not returned.

At Tuesday's meeting the board set an October 1 closing date for the sale of Powder Ridge to Alpine, extending the previous closing date of August 1 by two months.