Editor’s note: Story was edited to reflect that Dallas Plantation is still considering providing the requested letter.

RANGELEY — The Board of Selectmen was asked Tuesday by Saddleback ski area general manager Chris Farmer for support in turning Saddleback Resort into a nonprofit foundation.

Farmer explained that the Berry family, owners of Saddleback, have decided after 10 years that the resort needs to stand on its own. It was in the black this year, he said.

The newly-formed nonprofit foundation needs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to guarantee a $10 million loan from a North Carolina bank to purchase 723 acres of the resort, including ski trails, equipment and operations. The foundation needs letters of support from all the communities involved. Sandy River Plantation has drafted a letter and Dallas Plantation is reviewing a request to provide a letter in support of Saddleback becoming a nonprofit foundation.

Farmer sent a sample draft to Town Manager Tim Kane and will work with him on the wording of the final draft, which will be sent to selectmen for review before adding it to the agenda at the May 14 budget meeting.

Farmer said the Berry family is giving up a large share of their investment, and will cover current liabilities. The Berrys believe their vision of affordable skiing and local jobs has its best chance of success with a nonprofit organization.

Judy Morton of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce added that the nonprofit model is familiar in other ski resort areas in other states.

In her chamber update, Morton said the new marketing on the chamber website is seeing results. Following 40,000 visits in 2012, the number has grown to more than 70,000 this year.

The chamber is looking into updating the website, adding a “Do you want to live here?” feature. Rangeley’s Facebook page has 8,700 friends, nearly twice that of Ogunquit, Rangeley’s nearest Facebook rival in the state. The town now has a new “Dining in Rangeley” Facebook page, which will provide a central location for the town’s food options.

Morton attended a meeting of Discover New England, an organization that markets New England attractions to foreign visitors. She said the Rangeley area has drawn a lot of interest from European travelers.

With the town donating $50,000 each year to the chamber for marketing, Chairman Gary Shaffer requested an itemized breakdown of how the money was spent in 2012.

A discussion of putting the fire chief under the town manager’s jurisdiction was delayed until Town Clerk Ethna Thompson can look into statutory requirements.

Kane reported that despite the state’s reorganization of the program, Rangeley will keep its Intoxilyzer machine and be responsible for its maintenance.

The Carry Road repaving project is set to start Monday, May 13, with all easements in hand. M&H Construction believes it can handle the project without detours. The High Street and School Street projects will go out to bid.

The board has renewed vendor licenses for 3D’s Seafood, Little Mountain School, Rangeley Boosters, Rangeley Friends of the Arts, Rangeley Health and Wellness, and Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsmen’s Association. The Country Club Inn had its liquor license renewed.