WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Trying to Keep Titus Open

Trying to Keep Titus Open

Malone, New York - April 18, 2008

Police say that for several years the manager of the Titus Mountain Ski Center has been stealing electricity by bypassing the meters that record how much power is used by the chairlifts, snow-making machines and buildings.

N.Y. State police charged the long-time manager of Titus, Zachary White, with second degree grand larceny, criminal tampering, theft of services and possession of stolen property. White pleaded not guilty and is free on $15,000 bail.

Some say the power theft could add up to $1 million or more that the small ski area will have to come up with.

A new management team has been brought in to keep the Titus Mountain Ski Area alive.

"We're going to be here. I feel positive about it. I was hired to come in and make it happen. We got a real good team of employees who stayed. We're working hard to keep everything going," says acting resort manager Franz Fredricks.

The Titus Sports Center has been a popular family ski center for nearly three decades. Besides local skiers, it draws large crowds from nearby Canada. At peak season they employ about 100 workers that plow much of their salaries back into the area.

"There isn't a lot to do here in the winter. Skiing is a good family activity... kids, adults, up to seniors. It's a big draw for the area... hotels and everyone benefits," says Malone resident Dave LaPlant.

But Titus also owes money to more than the power company. Titus owes utilities taxes to Franklin County for the past three years. The utility company is National Grid and they say they are still working with the various law enforcement agencies involved in this unusual case.

"I have so many people coming to me; 'You gotta save the place. It means so much to so many people,'" says Fredricks.

There's a lot of details that still have to be worked out between now and the first snowfall. But management says that by then they hope to be able to pull the switch on the chairlifts and start another season.

Jack LaDuke - WCAX News