Thursday, April 9
WILMINGTON -- In a special meeting Tuesday, the Wilmington Selectboard approved a response to be sent to G. Tyler Henshaw, of East Hampton, Conn., regarding the lease of the land known as Haystack Mountain.

The lease of the "Glebe land," which is owned by the town, has exchanged hands multiple times in recent years.

In 2005, it was transferred from Mount Snow to One Cornell. One Cornell has since changed its name to ALT Charities, Inc., and is seeking to transfer the lease to Henshaw, the company's president.

Development of the land into a private ski resort has been delayed for years, presumably because of a lack of funds.

One Cornell sent a letter to the Selectboard earlier this year claiming that it was financially impossible for the company to pay the town the money owed for the lease of the land.

The most recent response from the Selectboard stated that the board will delay its termination of the lease until April 15, giving Henshaw the opportunity to contact the town and arrange for a meeting to take place before May 14.

If those terms are not met, the board is prepared to terminate the lease.

"I think the town would like to see a functioning, sustainable ski resort in the area -- one that has the plan and the financing to actually work," said Wilmington Town Manager Bob Rusten.

"It has the potential to bring business to the area and create good paying jobs, so I think that

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is what we want to hear, that this is their plan," Rusten said.

In the letter sent to Henshaw, the board outlined the terms for the lease, which included that Henshaw "obtain possession of all lands adjacent to the Wilmington Glebe land, either through ownership or lease, needed to operate a fully functioning ski resort."

This means that Henshaw would need to purchase the "base lodge" land next to the glebe land.

The land was formerly owned by One Cornell but was purchased back by the town in a tax sale in March because One Cornell failed to pay the taxes on it for two years.

Other requirements set by the Selectboard include that Henshaw apply for and obtain all permits required for the actual functioning of the ski resort, build a fully functioning ski resort, which includes reviewing formal plans with the Selectboard, resolve any outstanding issues with the Coldbrook Fire District where those issues would inhibit the operation of a lawful ski resort, and obtain necessary water and sewer systems.

Jaime Cone can be reached at jcone@reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 277.