Volume 17, Issue 43
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
Sales contract for Powder Ridge approved by Middlefield BOS Sue VanDerzee Town Times At a special meeting attended by over two dozen residents on Jan. 31, the Middlefield Board of Selectmen (BOS) voted unanimously to approve a sales contract for the 250-acre Powder Ridge property to Alpine Associates of Crested Butte, Colorado. Terms of the sale include a $1 million price tag, with a $25,000 deposit due at contract signing, $275,000 at closing and the remaining $700,000 is seven annual installments of $100,000 each. Also included, in the selectmen’s view as part of the purchase “price,” is the commitment by Alpine Associates to spend at least $2 million on “permanent improvements” to the site within the first two years, and the further commitment to restore downhill skiing within two years of the closing.
Both the $1 million cash payment and the $2 million in improvements will be secured by separate mortgages held by the town of Middlefield. In addition, Middlefield will hold the development rights to the property so that Alpine Associates, as well as any other possible future owners, will be limited in their use of the property to activities that fall under the category of “outdoor recreational facility.”
property going to the town in the event that facility is closed.
A further conservation easement will be placed on the 4-5-acre open field adjoining Powder Hill Road. The field, in order to preserve the viewscape, can be used only for haying and excess parking for a particular short-term purpose with no actual parking improvements allowed.
The quad chairlift must remain on-site for at least seven years, without written approval from the town to remove it.
The reversion clause in the Nerden Camp quit claim deed, originally granted by Zemel Brothers in 1966, will remain as is, with ownership of the Nerden Camp
Friday, Februar y 4, 2011
A life-changing trip to Haiti
Additionally, the town will retain “easement in gross” rights over the property to access any aboveground water sources for firefighting both on the property and at surrounding properties. The town will also retain, for three years from the date of closing, the right to conduct a wind energy feasibility study.
The text of the agreement, which comes with nine attached “exhibits,” or equipment lists, actual mortgage documents, etc., is available by email from the town clerk’s office. The entire document runs 78 pages. The agreement itself is 12 pages. Attorney John Corona, See Powder Ridge, page 8
More snow and ice means more work for you
Sara Kennedy, of Middlefield, created an ever-lasting bond with Mydlie, a little girl living in Haiti, where Sara and her mom, Elisabeth, traveled last month to visit the HELO houses. See more photos from the Haiti trip along with a full story of Sara’s experience on page 9. Photo submitted by Sara and Elisabeth Kennedy
Snow day update
The roof of the Middlefield Community Center was being cleared on Tuesday, Feb. 1, as the snow began to fall...again. Residents and businesses were advised to clean off their roofs to prevent damage that was expected to occur with the accumulation of snow and ice this week. Photos by Cheri Kelley
At the time of printing, there had been seven snow days for Regional School District 13. The last three days will be made up during April vacation, as there are only four snow days built into the district’s calendar. RSD13 would like families to plan for these changes. As the weather continues, updates will be made.
In this issue ... Calendar............................4 Durham Briefs................15 Middlefield Briefs...........14 Sports ..........................20-22 Healthy Living section...11-13 Spotlight........................16-17