Community Corner

Middlefield Finds Buyer for Snowmakers

Catamount ski area to buy relics of Powder Ridge.

While town officials await the outcome of a 90-day due diligence period after agreeing to sell Powder Ridge ski area to Alpine Ridge LLC of Fairfield, PA, the town has made a deal to sell dozens of outdated snow making machines still inhabiting the abandoned slopes in Middlefield.

Catamount ski area, a resort located on the border of Massachusetts and New York in southern Berkshire County, has agreed to pay $250 for each snow making machine, according to First Selectman Jon Brayshaw.

"All along we knew they were worth something," Brayshaw said during Monday's Board of Selectman meeting, while indicating that there were between 60 - 70 "snow guns" scattered on the mountain.

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Brayshaw said the town had received a $2,000 deposit from Catamount, and stood to make around $15,000 by selling the "old" equipment.

Alpine, which continues to review the property, did not want the snow making machines because the company planned to install more modern equipment at Powder Ridge, Brayshaw added.

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"Catamount happens to have this exact model, so they're happy to buy 'em and we're happy to sell 'em," he said.

Brayshaw said town crews are awaiting the arrival of drier weather before starting the removal process, which if not done carefully could damage the slopes.

"We're going to be as gentile as possible."

Prior to the regular Board of Selectman meeting a Special Meeting was held on the request of the board for a one time "Special Appropriation" of $20,018.05 to be transferred from the undesignated general fund balance to pay for the interest on short term borrowing for Powder Ridge. The motion was approved 6-0.


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