Middlefield, CT – The saga of Connecticut’s dormant Powder Ridge Ski Area continues. As Middlefield town officials continue discussions with a potential operator to reopen the ski slopes, the ski area’s former owner has filed a lawsuit against the town, alleging that it conspired to strong-arm the ski area from his control.nAccording to Ken Levitt, who owned Powder Ridge from 1997 until its closure in 2007, Middlefield town officials deliberately hampered his efforts to ensure the ski area’s financial viability in order to obtain the property at the lowest possible cost.

The lawsuit seeks as damages $9 million from the town and $2 million in damages from Middlefield Holdings, LLC, an investment company. The lawsuit specifically names Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw and former Chairman of the Middlefield Board of Finance, Paul Pizzo.

Levitt personally guaranteed Powder Ridge’s mortgage. As a result, his private home is now in foreclosure proceedings to pay the debt that the town alleges Levitt owes.

Levitt’s plans for Powder Ridge included a summer water park to generate year-round revenue. Town zoning officials never approved the water park. After several failed lease-buyback initiatives, the town eventually purchased the property for just over $2.5 million, less than half of its appraised value at the time. It also acquired the ski lifts, snowmaking and other equipment for $20,000 in secured tax liens.

Since then, the Town of Middlefield has been searching for an operator for the shuttered ski area. Over the past several months the Middlefield Board of Selectmen has been negotiating with frontrunner Alpine Associates, Inc. after the previously-selected operator, Snowtime and CDF & Associates, abruptly pulled out of the deal, citing the state’s high taxes and cost of electricity. Sticking points reportedly include the ability to tie into the west end of Lake Beseck for snowmaking water, as well as maintaining a seven acre buffer along Powder Ridge Road to shield the ski area from non-skiing neighbors.

Should an agreement be reached, Alpine Associates has promised to sink approximately $2 million into renovations and upgrades at the ski area and pay roughly $1 million for the property.