RUMFORD – Town officials agreed to extend the municipal sewer system to Black Mountain.

The action came at Thursday night’s selectmen’s meeting after a presentation by Black Mountain Board of Directors President Roger Arsenault. He updated selectmen on construction of a new chairlift and plans to build a new lodge to replace the 43-year-old, much smaller building.

Town Manager Robert Welch said the town has the half-million dollars in an account for sewer extensions, the amount he estimates that will be needed to run sewer lines from the current end on Swain Road to Black Mountain, a distance of about 1.75 miles.

Commitment by the town to extend sewer lines, as well as to possibly find some way to extend the existing water lines to the mountain, is important to the Libra Foundation, the philanthropic organization that will finance the construction of the new lodge and other improvements, Arsenault said.

The Libra Foundation, through the Maine Winter Sports Center, which is the new owner of the mountain, is financing several major renovations and expansions at the mountain. However, one of the requirements is community involvement in the overall project.

Dozens of volunteers have given their time on a variety of projects. Now, the town must show commitment by providing new infrastructure.

Board Chairman Jim Thibodeau said extending the sewage lines is in the town’s long-term plan. It can be done, particularly since a real possibility exists that other growth will take place in the Black Mountain area in the future, he said.

Water, however, is a different story. “It is out of the town’s hands,” he said.

As a member of the Rumford Water District, as well as of the Board of Selectmen, he said the district may try to “work something out,” to help get water to the mountain. No further details are available at this time.

Arsenault said the concept design for the new lodge will be finalized in a couple of months. Once that is done, the project will go out to bid. He anticipates construction next spring.

It will be located just below the current maintenance buildings at the mountain, a site that will allow easier access by vehicles and people. The current lodge will be dismantled.

In a related matter, the board agreed to spend up to $600 to buy banners for each of the major entrances to the town. These banners will announce the upcoming Chevrolet 2004 U.S. Cross-Country Championships Jan. 3-11. Hundreds of skiers from throughout the United States and Canada will take part in these competitions that lead to the World Cup.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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