RANGELEY — While fingers are crossed that the coming winter will bring more snow to the area than this past winter, businesses and residents are enjoying one of the best summers ever.

The 2015-16 winter was slower than normal due to limited snowfall and Saddleback Mountain ski area in Sandy River Plantation remaining closed for the season.

“It was a double-whammy,” Town Manager Tim Pellerin said Wednesday. “We didn’t have the snow and the mountain wasn’t open.”

It certainly affected the economy, he said.

A lot of people who work in the town during the summer work at the mountain in the winter. People had to find work elsewhere this past winter, which makes it harder for businesses to find employees.

On the recovery side, he said, a lot of businesses and rental agencies are reporting that this summer is one of the best they’ve had in years.

“We needed that coming off a season with no snow and the mountain not opening,” he said. “We’re optimistic at this point. We are hoping we have a normal Rangeley winter and the snowmobilers come back.”

The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club worked hard to bring in snowmobilers but limited snow offset the effort.

“Basically, we are in a wait-and-see (situation),” Pellerin said. “Our fingers are crossed and we are hopeful for the future.”

Caroline Smith, a broker at Morton & Furbish Real Estate Agency, said that they have had a good summer.

“We’ve had strong sales,” she said. “I think it is a result of properties lowering their prices.”

Other businesses are also reporting a busy summer and touting Rangeley’s other attractions.

“Our summer has been very busy — up substantially from last year. I think most businesses in town have been busier this year — everyone seems to be in need of more employees,” Travis Ferland, owner of The Rangeley Inn and Tavern, said.

Saddleback has been a major source of business in prior years, but Rangeley has so many other activities to offer, he said.

He cited “first rate snowmobile and cross country ski trails, outstanding snowshoe hikes, and a variety of fun winter events. We are looking forward to a snowy winter and to welcoming visitors for Snodeo, Pond Hockey, and Winterpalooza.”

The Rangeley Inn and Tavern will be open all winter to accommodate visitors to our beautiful region, he said.

Evelyn Wing Beaulieu, Sandy River Plantation town clerk, said they are hoping to see the winter in the coming season and at least get the snowmobilers back.

So far, there has been no report of the mountain opening for this year, but people are hoping for the best.

The downtown streets of Rangeley were busy Wednesday and businesses appeared to be also giving credence to a strong summer economy.

Voters raised $900,000 for two phases of an improvement project that will include the addition of new playground equipment and eliminate soil from washing into the lake. Earthwork was being done for new drainage and parking areas at one end of the town’s Lakeside Park. The entrance to the park and sidewalks will be improved during this phase. 

At the other end of the park, slated for improvement next year, children played on playground equipment, on the beach and in Rangeley Lake. Pellerin outlined next year’s park project, which includes making the restroom building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

One improvement being considered is the addition of a family changing room that would allow someone with multiple young children to take them all into the room without worrying about their safety. Options are still being reviewed on the building design.

Town officials are holding another park workshop at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at the Town Office.

The goal is to make it a better park for residents and visitors to enjoy, Pellerin said.

“Our park is really our town’s gem,” he said. “Where else can you go and have this?”

dperry@sunjournal.com