Interlaken to begin spring noxious-weed spraying on town property; contractor bid approved

Town staff told the Interlaken Town Council on April 1 that the town will again contract for a spring noxious-weed control program to address dyer's woad and thistles on town property and road shoulders.

Staff said the town plan follows last year’s combined town-contractor/volunteer approach: town property and road-right-of-way areas will be sprayed by a contractor (Gridiron Lawn and Bug), and residents will be encouraged to control weeds on private lots through volunteer efforts or private contracts. Staff said Gridiron’s bid is comparable to last year’s and that the company bills based on gallons of spray applied; the meeting record shows the current bid figure of $49.25 (staff characterized this as a per-gallon or per-unit bid metric compared with $41.50 last year).

Staff said the herbicide used was Weedmaster and that the contractor will avoid spraying on windy days and use methods designed to limit drift through the watershed; the product had county approval for application in above-ground systems. Staff also emphasized coordination with volunteers and local tree/landscape firms familiar with the town; Visentin Tree Services was suggested as a recommended contractor for private-lot work.

Council members discussed outreach and borrowing sprayer equipment from the pump house for residents who want to help. Staff said they approved the contract to proceed and will inform residents of the schedule when dates are finalized. No formal council vote was recorded on the contract during the meeting; staff said they had already approved the contractor engagement.