Pomfret — State officials will hold a public hearing this morning on the Woodstock Inn and Resort’s application for an Act 250 permit to build a trail system for mountain bikes at Suicide Six.

At the hearing, which is scheduled to begin at the Suicide Six Ski Area Lodge following a 9 a.m. site visit, Pomfret Selectwoman Emily Grube is expected to represent the Selectboard, which has expressed general support for the plan, but also wants the Woodstock Inn to address several concerns.

If its application is approved by the District 3 Environmental Commission, the inn, which operates a luxury inn, spa and golf course in neighboring Woodstock, plans to build 6.6 miles of mountain biking trails for people to use from May through October on the Stage Road property. The new, one-foot-wide trails would be built within the footprint of existing Nordic and single track trails on the property.

In 1934, Suicide Six became the first ski resort to feature a mechanized rope tow, but this latest initiative dovetails with other area resorts that have sought to broaden their offerings beyond seasonal ski enthusiasts.

Pomfret Selectman Scott Woodward said that, while he couldn’t speak on behalf of the Selectboard, his own opinions hewed closely to the body’s formal position — general support, with reservations.

“Suicide Six is a key part of Pomfret’s identity, and part of Pomfret’s history, so it has an important place in the community,” he said. “We certainly want to foster that.”

During an Oct. 23 meeting, the board identified nine areas of concern, most of which centered on the impact that increased traffic to the resort could have on traffic and emergency services, according to draft meeting minutes. Some of the concerns expressed apply not only to new users, but also to existing skiing customers of the resort.

Most of those types of concerns would ordinarily be addressed during a zoning permit application review, but the Woodstock Inn indicated in its Act 250 application that it did not need to apply for a local zoning permit, according to the minutes.

Once the town called the Woodstock Inn to raise the issue, company representatives agreed to go through that process, and a hearing before the Zoning Board is scheduled for Nov. 9, according to Woodward.

He said Pomfret is also seeking a discussion about the ongoing relationship between the town and the company.

“I think whatever the relationship has been in the past, there’s new management at the inn, and with that, I think it’s an opportunity to reshape the relationship,” Woodward said Monday. “We need to have that open channel so we can talk about not just this specific application for mountain biking and events, but also a broader relationship.”

Woodward said that he would like to see the inn take on a share of the cost of providing emergency services to the resort, not just for mountain bikers, but for skiers as well.

“We pay just under $30,000 a year for ambulance services. We would want to figure out what would be equitable to ensure that the Woodstock Inn is contributing,” Woodward said. “We just want to make sure we as a board are … not leaving ourselves exposed in terms of public safety and being in a situation where taxpayers are paying for that burden that would be more appropriately put on the inn.”

Other concerns raised during the Selectboard meeting included the hours of operation for mountain bikers, concerns about event guests who might be intoxicated while using the ski lift, and the impact of noise and light for neighboring residents.

The Agency of Natural Resources filed comments earlier this month seeking an extension to the permitting process, to allow for more time to hammer out an agreement with the Woodstock Inn over a management plan for the Barnard Brook, which runs though the base of the property.

According to comments filed with the commission, Barnard Brook is on its Stressed Waters List because of concerns about water temperature and sediment.

Representatives from the ANR and the Woodstock Inn have reached an agreement on other ANR concerns, which included potential impact on mountain stream crossings and deer wintering habitat.

District Coordinator Linda Matteson said Monday afternoon that the site visit would be held despite whatever cleanup might remain from Sunday night’s wind and rain storm.

“We won’t know the next step until the hearing is over,” Matteson said. “If the commission needs additional evidence, they will send out a recess order specifying items to address.”

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.