CAMDEN — Following a multi-week discussion about the mission of a new municipal committee to help direct the future of the Camden Snow Bowl, the Select Board agreed June 8 to appoint residents to that committee, and leave it up to them to produce a mission statement.

At the Tuesday evening, regularly scheduled meeting, the board spent some time talking about how much to help shape the purpose of this new committee, and at times the discussion got testy.

The members of the Ragged Mountain Area Advisory Committee are Geoff Chapman, John Anders, Martin Cates, Jamie Weymouth, Sarah Ruf-Lindquist, Holly Edwards and Ray Andresen. Alternates are Dennis McGurk and Morgan Laidlaw.

At first, the board debated whether it would be a five-person or seven-person committee, with two alternates, and ultimately settling on seven.

Members of the select board have also spent time since their May 24 meeting drafting proposed mission statements for the committee.

But on Tuesday, Select Board member Martin Cates, who is stepping down from the board as of June 14, suggested that: “The group should be charged with coming back to board with what the mission ultimately should be. The goals will morph over time.”

Board member Leonard Lookner, however, took umbrage with that.

“It seemed like we agreed on this,” he said. “I’m concerned that you guys pulled the wool over my eyes.”

Lookner wanted to establish guiding rationale for the committee’s mission, and ensure a level of sensitivity is maintained as ideas for making the Snow Bowl more solvent are proposed.

Cates responded: “I’m not diminishing what you said. I think everyone is keenly aware of all the factors and peoples’ concerns.”

He advocated that the new committee produce a mission statement and return to the Select Board with it.

The board agreed to that, and approved appointment of the new members.

The Ragged Mountain Area Advisory Committee follows the April news that the Snow Bowl’s deficit is now $300,000.

At their May 10 meeting, the select board formed the Snow Bowl Budget Committee, a five-member committee, with two alternates, that will work with town and Snow Bowl staff to build the 2017 budget. That budget runs from July 1 to June 30.

The new ad hoc committee has six weeks to help the Snow Bowl staff assemble a 2016-2017 budget, and will sunset as a committee June 30. Members of that committee are Dave Nazaroff, Paul Cavalli, T. C. Bland, and Brian Robinson, with alternates Pete Orne and Chris Morong.

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Camden Select Board chastises itself for Snow Bowl deficit, forms new committees to help

Camden leaders make plan to reduce Snow Bowl's two-year deficit

What to do about the Camden Snow Bowl’s $260,000 deficit

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Camden readies Snow Bowl for new season; ticket, season pass price increases included (July 20, 2015)

Camden approves Ledgewood contract for phase 2 of mountain work (May 20, 2015)

With record snowfall, Camden's Ragged Mountain Recreation Area begins making financial headway

Camden Snow Bowl Redevelopment Committee, Ragged Mountain Foundation hold community meeting (posted March 2, 2015)

• Camden Snow Bowl project up to $8.4 million, fundraising resumes (Feb. 3, 2015)

Making tracks in some dreamy snow at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 30)

Snow Bowl to fire up chairlifts; refunds offered to passholders (Jan 21)

Camden Planning Board to begin Snow Bowl lodge review (Jan. 9)

Camden Select Board brings in old friend to help with Snow Bowl progress (Jan. 7)

• Camden Snow Bowl to start making snow Jan. 5 (Jan. 2)

• Camden Select Board pushes Ragged Mountain redevelopment project forward over protests of many Hosmer Pond neighbors (Dec. 18)

• Snow Bowl progress report to Camden Select Board continues to be positive (Dec. 3)

• One by one, 20 chairlift towers went up at the Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

• Helicopter to help raise, place 23 chairlift towers at Camden Snow Bowl (Dec. 1)

• Report: Ragged Mountain Redevelopment Project $500,000 over budget (Oct. 8)

• Camden Planning Board approves Snow Bowl lighting plan as proposed (Oct. 6)

• Camden Snow Bowl on target for Dec. 20 opening, weather willing (Sept. 19)

• Camden to contract with South Portland firm to manage Snow Bowl lodge, base area (July 24, 2014)

• Camden Snow Bowl project remains under DEP scrutiny, making progress, more work ahead (July 11)

• Vermont trail builder takes helm with Camden Snow Bowl project, new phase gets under way (July 10)

• Camden Snow Bowl prepped for more rain, assembling working group to assist with next steps (July 2)

• Snow Bowl mountain mud runoff causes headache for neighbors, town (July 1)

• Camden Snow Bowl anticipates ending season in the black; work begins on Ragged Mountain (March 19)

• Homage to Camden’s Big T (March 15, 2014)

• By wide margin, Camden voters approve Snow Bowl improvement bond (Nov. 5, 2013)

• Camden voters consider $2 million Snow Bowl bond, three zoning amendments (Nov. 3, 2013)

• Camden committee selects new parks and recreation director (Sept. 6, 2013)

• Camden considers $2 million Snow Bowl bond, ordinance amendments Nov. 5 (Sept. 4, 2014)

• Camden ready to put $2 million bond before voters (Aug. 21, 2013)

• Camden pursues federal money to help with Snow Bowl upgrade (July 10, 2013)

• Camden learns about refurbished chairlifts, woven grips and haul ropes (April 10, 2013)

• Last run for Jeff (Jan. 21, 2013)

• Stellar start to season at Camden Snow Bowl (Jan. 9, 2013)

• Camden’s Ragged Mountain loses a good friend (Nov. 7, 2012)

• Ready for packed powder? Camden Snow Bowl to make it quicker, sooner with updated snow guns (Sept. 12, 2012)

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657