The highest bidder for a 32-acre parcel that’s key to the success of the now-shuttered Powder Ridge Ski Area in Middlefield has until Monday to prove he has the finances to close on a deal to buy the property.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Lorraine Murphy Weil directed attorney Ronald I. Chorches, the court-appointed trustee for the parcel, to determine if Nicholas J. Lenge of Budding Rose Realty LLC has the $212,000 he bid for the land. Lenge is the mystery bidder who earlier this year threw a wrench into Middlefield’s plans to reopen the ski area in partnership with a Connecticut ski slope owner.

“I’m not going to make the town bid against someone who might be using ‘Monopoly’ money,” Weil said. “I’m not going to do that.” Weil did not accept Lenge’s offer and postponed the auction on the 32 acres until Monday. www.courant.com

Posted: 05|29|08 at 9:50 am. Filed under: US Property.