The pipeline, located between Gold Hill and the intersection of German
Flats Road and the Sugarbush Access Road, has a history of leaking. Last
November, resort snowmaking teams detected pressure irregularities in
the system as they were resuming snowmaking operations in preparation
for opening weekend.
The leak was discovered on the Access Road just up the hill from the
Wheeler Brook Apartments; snowmaking was immediately shut down.
Sugarbush and town repair crews mobilized to close a 20-foot section of
the Access Road. Sugarbush contracted with Kingsbury Construction and
G.W. Tatro to assist with the project and the town contributed several
essential resources during the repair process.
Similar leaks are not uncommon during the initial start-up of a ski
area's snowmaking systems, according to Sugarbush officials.
The pipeline is set to be replaced sometime after the July 4 holiday and
completed by mid-September, according to Simpson; the timeline does not
include additional culvert work.
Simpson suggested that the town replace several culverts at the same
time as the pipeline is being repaired; completing the projects at the
same time would be advantageous and representatives from Sugarbush
agree, according to Simpson.
Simpson said that it is unlikely that the road will be paved without
first replacing the pipeline and culverts. He suggested that the town
consider using money from the capital paving budget.
The capital account for paving is only allocated for paving, according
to town officials; a townwide vote is required in order to spend the
money on anything but paving.
Select board chair Andy Cunningham said that the board should wait until
Sugarbush comes to them with what they want the board to do and have
Simpson continue to monitor any maintenance issues as well as gather
information.
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