Resort can sell liquor
SALTLICK TWP. – Seven Springs Mountain Resort was given the authorization to sell liquor on its property located in the municipality by Saltlick Township voters Tuesday, ending a lengthy stalemate between the community and the resort. By a 348 to 317-vote margin, the community will retain its “dry” status, but allow alcoholic beverages to be sold on township-located property owned by the popular resort.
More than 2,000 acres owned by Seven Springs are located in the township, said Bob Duppstadt, resort spokesman, and accommodate the resort’s north face ski area.
“What (the response) does is allow us to start planning for the future,” he said.
The referendum ballot question was posed to township voters in 2002, 2003 and again Tuesday.
In 2003, the same question was also asked of Middlecreek Township, Somerset County, voters where a similar acreage is owned by the resort.
The affirmative response has allowed some construction to begin, said Duppstadt, but has yet to include the sale of alcoholic beverages.
The future plans for Saltlick Township, he added, include real estate development at the top and perhaps at the bottom of the ski area.
“Our food and beverage services are pretty maxed out on the weekends, the way it is,” said Duppstadt. “So as we increase the number of beds and number of lodging units, there will be a need to expand the food and beverage facilities and this is a step towards giving us the opportunity to building those facilities.”
The third proposal to the voters came after the residents and township officials began calling, writing and e-mailing to request the voters have another opportunity to consider the plan.
Duppstadt speculated that property tax increases within the past four years and the construction in Middlecreek Township renewed the interest in the proposition.
“It gave them the opportunity to see that it might be a benefit to them,” he said.
Megan Hess-Kalp, township secretary, said that residents did see the plan as a revenue generating initiative.
“I can’t say for sure what the impact will be, but (any development) will increase our tax base,” she said.
Duppstadt, meanwhile, explained that no construction is planned there for the upcoming year.