News

Developer claims Barnes misrepresented finances

RUTLAND- A New York developer has filed a suit against James Barnes and his Hermitage Inn Real Estate Holding Company in US District Court in connection with a $2.6 million purchase of Stag’s Leap lots.
In a five-count complaint, Shaun P. Golden, owner of Golden Wealth Properties, claims...

A skier enjoys fresh snow at Mount Snow on Wednesday. Area economic development groups are hoping a program designed to offer vacationers a chance to move to and work in Vermont will bring an influx of new residents. Brett Miller/Mount Snow

Groups hope program converts guests to residents

WILMINGTON - At a meeting of the bi-town economic development committee on Thursday, February 7, the committee discussed a “Ski and Stay” program to be held at Mount Snow. In other matters, an upcoming informational session at the Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce was...

Stating the obvious: Receiver says club won’t open

WILMINGTON- A quarterly Hermitage receiver’s report filed this month calls the Hermitage Inn Real Estate Holding Company’s economic condition “stable,” but also notes that a plan to operate the ski area this season was inadequate.
In the report, receiver Alan Tantleff, of FTI Consulting,...

River Valley’s moderator, Dr. Robert Backus, right, addresses the floor at Tuesday’s meeting while school board members Dwight Boerem, Rick Thorpe, and Rich Werner look on.

Articles pass with ease at River Valleys school district annual meeting

WARDSBORO - The River Valleys Unified Union School District held its annual meeting on Tuesday, moderated by Dr. Robert Backus. All of the articles warned for the meeting were passed with ease by voters who braved a snowstorm to be there. Many articles were passed without much discussion.
...

Dot's of Dover was destroyed by an early-morning fire Sunday, January 20.

Mount Snow raffle to support Dot’s of Dover

DOVER- Mount Snow is raffling off a lift chair this Saturday to raise money for Betsy Reagan and Dot’s of Dover to recover after the fire that destroyed the popular restaurant two weeks ago. Mount Snow has refurbished a four-person chair from the Grand Summit Express and Travis Wendell from...

Robert Balewicz File photo

Hermitage Club ordered to pay former manager

BOSTON- The US Department of Labor has ordered Hermitage Club Realty LLC to pay a former employee $22,693 in back pay and bonuses with interest, and $20,000 in compensatory damages.
“Hermitage Club Realty LLC terminated the employee on December 18, 2017, after informing the company of what...

Taxman cometh: State wants club cash

NEWFANE- The Vermont Department of Taxes has filed a motion seeking summary judgment in their lawsuit against James Barnes, seeking more than $1 million in unpaid meals, rooms, alcohol, and sales taxes.
The state filed the lawsuit on July 30, 2018, alleging that Barnes failed to remit tax...

Barnes ordered to comply with agreement

HARTFORD, CT- Superior Court Judge Robert B. Shapiro has issued an order granting a motion filed by a group of Hermitage ski lift investors asking to validate a settlement agreement Hermitage owner James Barnes refused to sign.
The order directs the parties to comply with the terms of the...

District not sure on tax buy-down

WARDSBORO - At an informational meeting held by the River Valleys Unified Union School District Board on Monday, chair Rich Werner said that at the district’s annual meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, the board will ask voters to approve using capital reserve funds to offset...

Judge allows injunction motion to move forward

By Mike Eldred
NEWFANE- Superior Court Judge Robert Gerety has ordered White House Inn owner Bob Grinold’s motion for a preliminary injunction lifting a mechanic’s lien filed by James Barnes to proceed along with Grinold’s lawsuit in the matter, at least for now.
Barnes filed the $1...