Wind Lake Management District hires harvesting manager, approves chemical treatment and three lighted buoys

Chairman Mike Bluemel said the Wind Lake Management District voted on March 24 at Norway Town Hall to offer the Harvesting Program Manager position to Jerry Kotarak and approved two other operational measures intended to support lake navigation and weed control.

The board, meeting with Chairman Mike Bluemel, Treasurer Todd Flunker, Secretary Jeremy Sauld, County Representative Joe Bellante, Town Representative Mike Lyman and Commissioners Pat Calliari and Jim Bluemel, voted 6-0 to offer the manager position to Jerry Kotarak at a rate of $5,000 per year. Secretary Jeremy Sauld moved the offer and Commissioner Jim Bluemel seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The position was described during discussion as necessary because the district has acquired a second harvester and will require expanded management oversight. The motion authorizes the district to make the offer; the transcript records no further employment details beyond the annual rate.

The board also approved a chemical weed abatement agreement with vendor Solitude. County Representative Joe Bellante said Solitude has held its permitting and survey pricing for three years and that recent increases to herbicide costs appeared reasonable. Treasurer Todd Flunker moved to approve the agreement "as presented," Pat Calliari seconded, and the motion passed 6-0. The board did not specify contract duration or a total dollar amount in the meeting record.

On navigational safety, the board approved purchasing three lighted buoys — one red, one green and one to replace the marker for a rock pile/hazard near Wood Island — after a discussion about funding and coordination with the Norway Police Department. Secretary Jeremy Sauld reported that Officer Bennett of the Norway Police Department replied by email that the department has no funding specifically allocated for buoys but is completing a needs assessment and shared information about possible grants and ongoing requirements. Commissioner Pat Calliari moved to approve the buoy purchases; Sauld seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

Other business included a report that the fence installation is complete; the district paid an initial down payment of $5,700 and a remaining final payment of $8,800 is expected. Board members noted the installer still needs to add additional clamps to a final panel and adjust the roll gate after final grading; Commissioner Jim Bluemel agreed to check whether supports should be added to reduce gate sagging. The board also noted that the district's 2025 financial records are ready for volunteer audit and that Treasurer Todd Flunker and Commissioner Pat Calliari will contact volunteers to facilitate the review.

Votes at a glance: Flunker moved to approve the Feb. 3, 2026 meeting minutes; Jim Bluemel seconded — approved 6-0. Joe Bellante moved to accept the treasurer’s report for Jan. 1–Mar. 23, 2026; Jim Bluemel seconded — approved 6-0. Jeremy Sauld moved to offer the Harvesting Program Manager position to Jerry Kotarak at $5,000 per year; Jim Bluemel seconded — approved 6-0. Todd Flunker moved to approve the Solitude weed chemical treatment agreement; Pat Calliari seconded — approved 6-0. Pat Calliari moved to approve purchase of three lighted buoys; Jeremy Sauld seconded — approved 6-0. Jim Bluemel moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.; Jeremy Sauld seconded — approved 6-0.

The board tentatively scheduled its next monthly meeting for Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at Norway Town Hall. The meeting record notes that Samantha Oliver of the U.S. Geological Survey told Chairman Bluemel she is open to presenting USGS services at a future meeting and the board reached consensus to invite her to the April meeting if she is available. The board also heard that two state bills on wake boats had been introduced in the legislature earlier but were not passed; no further action was taken on that item during this meeting.