By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

NORWAY – Prompted by complaints from Suomela Lane resident Tere Porter, the town will be taking a second look at the water level of Lake Pennesseewassee.

At a Norway Board of Selectmen meeting Thursday, Town Manager David Holt said he has met with the Lakes Association of Norway and the company that oversees the second dam controlling the water level, Ridgewood Renewable Power. The first dam, at the west end of Main Street, is operated by the town.

“I’ve looked to see if we can make changes to help you,” Holt said to Porter, adding that he hopes to produce a set of recommendations for regulating the dams.

Porter said during the meeting and earlier in an interview with the Sun Journal that he thinks the town is responsible for nearly 8 inches of water that flooded his basement April 3. He blames Holt in particular.

He and his wife bought the house in 1967, he said Thursday. “Between 1967 and the time that David took over as town manager, we slightly flooded once,” he said. Since Holt took over “we have flooded again and again.”

Porter said he thinks the lake is kept at a higher level than it had been in the past.

“I have been told to sue the town of Norway. I don’t want to do that,” Porter said.

Holt said he advised Porter to sue because Porter had requested the town lower the lake level or move or elevate his house. He said he told Porter he “would probably have to sue” for damages if that was what he wanted.

“I would argue, and you would probably disagree, Tere, that this has been an unusual spring,” he later added.

In a memo to the Board of Selectmen, Holt said nearly 4 inches of rain that fell in Norway over the weekend of April 2, leading to “thousands of dollars worth of damage throughout the town.” Norway is expected to apply for federal aid to help offset the cost of repairs.

The town also will be looking for federal money to help with projects that could lessen flood damage in the future.

Porter said he would like to participate in any future meetings regarding the dam level. He squabbled briefly with Bruce Cook, president of the lakes association, before selectmen Chairman Leslie Flanders called for order.

Cook said the power company will be presenting the lakes association with a proposal to “totally automate the gates” controlling the lake water levels.

“Then,” Holt said, “we’d have a hearing.”