Camden residents to vote on Snow Bowl upgrade

CAMDEN – Residents will be asked on Nov. 4 to vote on a nonbinding question concerning a $2 million bond for the town’s share in upgrading the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, more commonly known as the Snow Bowl.

The ski area’s 40-year-old lodge, chairlift and two T-bar lifts need major repair or replacement.

The sustainability plan submitted to the Camden Select Board on Sept. 8 proposes a $6.5 million expansion of the area, which purports to provide four-season outdoor and alpine recreation for the midcoast region.

Town Manager Roberta Smith pointed out at the Select Board meeting that the question would be advisory only and would be on a separate ballot from three other binding votes.

“The draft question is: ‘Do you favor the town borrowing up to $2 million that’s matched by $4.5 million in private funds in the town-owned Ragged Mountain Recreation Area?'” Smith said.

“A yes vote would advise the Select Board, the budget committee and the redevelopment committee to proceed with the plan for approval,” Smith said. “A no vote would advise the same group to stop the project.

“If the project moves forward, voters would have the opportunity to vote on actual financing,” she said.

Over the years, the property has been developed as a mixed-use recreation area with a strong emphasis on winter activities.

The area has been financially supported by Camden taxpayers throughout its history. The town’s annual budget provides about $100,000 in taxpayer support of operating expenses and capital improvements.

The area operates on a break-even budget, using surplus income from strong snow years to offset losses in years of low natural snowfall.

The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation, a nonprofit foundation created by Camden residents to support improvements at the area, has provided private funding for facility improvements since 1991.

In 2006, faced with the continued need to support the annual operating costs if the area and the aging of the area’s infrastructure, the Select Board commissioned a long-range plan and feasibility study of the Recreation Area with Horizons Engineering, a company with expertise in small ski area design and management throughout North America.

The Horizon report outlines capital and operating improvements aimed at stabilizing and improving financial performance.

Resident Ray Williamson pointed out that the project would require $4.5 million in private funding and $2 million in municipal funding. If the area does not have the $4.5 million from private investment, does the town still have to put up $2 million if the voters approve it?

Committee member Rick Knowlton said the ballot question is advisory and is based on private investment of $4.5 million. If the private money isn’t there, then the town does not have to put up its share, he replied.

Williamson then asked what would happen if private investment exceeded $4.5 million. Then would there be an endowment to support the plan so that the town would put up less money?

Knowlton replied that it would be a great problem to have.

“There is no plan right now,” he said.