Voters in a town referendum gave their overwhelming approval last week to an arrangement in which Middlefield will buy the Powder Ridge Ski Area.
Under the proposal, the town will borrow $2.85 million to acquire the 246-acre resort or rights to the land to protect it from commercial or residential development.
According to unofficial returns late Tuesday, Middlefield voters approved the referendum by a vote of 1,097 to 151.
“This plan to purchase the land and development rights is the best possible thing for the town, I believe,” Selectwoman Mary Johnson said.
The members of the boards of selectmen and finance voted March 7 to hold the referendum, which supporters said was necessary to keep the parcels out of the hands of developers.
The ski area is owned by Whitewater Mountain Resorts Inc.
Town officials are considering entering into a partnership with the owner of Ski Sundown in New Hartford, which would operate the ski area.
Powder Ridge, which had been in operation for nearly 50 years, did not open this past winter.
Town officials also want to acquire another 32 acres owned by a related corporation, Green Forty LLC, that abuts the ski resort. That parcel is under a separate foreclosure action.
About 150 acres involved in the two purchases would be preserved as open space. (AP) n
