Posted on: July 26th, 2015

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the June 8, 2015, Town Meeting

 Next Town Meeting is Monday, August 10, 2015, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center – ELECTIONS – would YOU like to serve?

The meeting was called to order by Chair Peter Swift. Fourteen people attended: John Sand, Jeff Fishbaugh, Dean Grant, Stefanie Wilson, Mary Ryan, Pam Sherman, Deepika Avanti, Carol Sidell, Bobby Vrba, Member at Large Tony Vrba, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Chair Peter Swift, Vice-Chair Bear Carlson, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes – Peter had 2 corrections to the April minutes: under the Porta-Potti section, it should say that he “had written (instead of ‘is writing’) a report on ground water and movement of the fire barn cement slab” and, under New Business, Code Violation Report, in speaking of the unfortunate Nathan Hassellbauer having committing suicide shortly after some unknown person reported him for working without a permit on the house he’d purchased, Peter wanted his statement corrected to say that “it was possible, but not probable that this might have contributed (versus just ‘that this might have contributed’). With these corrections, the minutes were approved.

Peter also reported that he’d received a call from a Daily Camera reporter wanting to talk to him about this. Opinions were expressed that he should be very careful.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reported that, at the previous Town Meeting in April, our bank balance was $12,506.26. Since then, $643.41 was disbursed from the General Fund for pint glass production, report filing, and a bank safety deposit box rental. Revenue of $940 included pint glass and t-shirt sales. The current bank balance is $12,802.85. Funds held for us at the Ward Church are $85.00 bringing our total cash assets (bank account and funds held in trust in Ward) to $12,887.85.

Current individual fund totals are as follows: General Fund is $2,059.32; Cemetery is $3,610.21; Community Relief is $3,576.95 including monies held for us at the Ward Church; Forest Management $94.12; and Safe Link $3,547.25.

New Business – At this point, Peter reported that Deepika had requested permission to speak, before the committee reports, about dog issues and this change in the agenda was approved. There are issues with alleged attacks by Pit Bulls living at the crossroads on several dogs in town and many people are concerned. This generated a long discussion, including quite a bit of hearsay about which dog(s) were involved, and which culminated in Tony saying that we need copies of any actual complaints that have been filed and actions taken by the Sheriff’s Department and Animal Control. Apparently the owners of the dog(s) have been approached, but it seems that there is quite a bit of uncertainty about whether the issue is now resolved or not. Peter volunteered to contact the authorities as well as collect histories from people involved. Gretchen added that we need to be careful and factual and not speculate.

John moved that the Town Council be authorized to gather information regarding the allegedly aggressive dog(s) residing at the property owned by Elon Bar-Evan and assemble it for presentation to the appropriate Boulder County authorities. This was seconded and passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – no report

Historical Zoning – Bear reported that Paul and Anya are remodeling the garage that Jim Conlin built. They wanted to replicate the ½ round window at the other end of the building, but couldn’t find any, so they replaced both with octagonal windows, which were approved.

Forest Mgmt./CWPP – no report

Fire Department – Gretchen reported that the Porta-Potti cannot be installed until we move the SafeSite Shed and that is waiting on Chris and the Fire Board to decide where it should go. Also, instead of donating money to the cost of the Porta-Potti as we had heard earlier, Rich will write off his legal advice to the GHTM on the 501(c)4 to 501(c)3 change.

**Addendum – During the Bocce Tournament on June 27, Bear organized a crew to move the Safesite Shed, the Porta-Potti is in place and all is complete! Thanks to all who have worked on this for years!

Weed Management – no report

Historic Gold Hill – John reported that the Museum is open on weekends from 11-4 until Labor Day. Deb Yeager is the Outreach Coordinator and contacted Laurie Britton Newell who is putting together wonderful programs and activities. Our museum is now a member of the Northern Front Range Museums. Calendars are for sale at the museum, the Gold Hill Store, the Inn and from Leslie DeGrassi. They have updated the walking tour of Gold Hill Brochure, including a map. The 2015 Calendars sold out last year and they are not printing any more for 2016, so order early – call Leslie at 303-641-3598.

Mining – Gretchen reported that the situation seems to be as it has been – people are there off and on and they are reportedly working on permitting, etc.

Gold Hill School – school is out!

SafeLink – Peter reported on the Emergency Planning meeting on May 23 – they have come up with a 12-month preparedness plan, and are researching how various agencies respond and how we need to deal with them as well. Contact Peter if you would like copies of this or of the minutes of the meeting.   I will publish them in a separate email – they’re long.

Tony Vrba is taking over Teresa’s NeighborLink pod in the Gold Run Subdivision.

OLD BUSINESS

Potential building fund and land ownership issues update – Peter (our own Civil Engineer who has been working on land development issues for >40 years) volunteered to do a feasibility study to look at up-front and long-term expenses. The newest development is that we have just received the new property tax assessment on our piece of property and it has gone up from $1,100 to $46,000, so the taxes would go from $25.00 per year to approximately $1,000. Peter has submitted an appeal and we will have a date in September to be heard. We could apply for the same status as the Meadow, but then we could not build on it. He will also talk to the Planning Department.

            Bear made a motion that we authorize Peter to gather information to conduct a feasibility study for our town property. Gretchen seconded it and it passed unanimously.

Potential sale of the meadow – Peter has not heard from the County in response to our letter requesting that they acquire this land for open space and will follow up. Bear reports that David Brigham said he would contact Frank Schmidt again. It is apparently not listed yet, but David has heard that they are planning to sell.

501(c)4 to 501(c)3 – Gretchen reports that she has made progress on the 26 page form. John responded that he received an email about a much shorter form and will send me the information.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gold Run Subdivision – We heard from Deepika and Carol that there are concerns and talk in the Gold Run Subdivision about what the 501(c)4 to 501(c)3 change might mean to them and what our intentions might be regarding the GR Subdivision. Gretchen will send out an explanatory email about the Gold Hill Town Meeting, our boundaries, and our bylaws– here is a link to this email, which was sent out on June 9: https://goldhilltown.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=7520&action=edit. Our main reason to incorporate the GH Town Meeting in 1970 (not for Gold Hill to become an incorporated town, which is not possible, but just for the Town Meeting to become a tax-exempt corporation) was to enable us to hold property – specifically our part of the Meadow, the Cemetery and annex, and the People’s Park. The (c)4 to (c)3 change will mean that donations to the GHTM, Inc. will be tax deductible and involves a lot of paperwork to get this through the IRS.

            Tony suggested that we have a meeting with the subdivision folks and Peter and Gretchen would be there if there are further questions.

BACK TO OLD BUSINESS

Emergency Preparedness – Pam reported for Dina (who is out of town) that AirLink (our Ham Radio organization) worked beautifully during the latest flood scare. We had good communications between our group, Fourmile, and the EOC.

Town Clean Up – Gretchen reported that The Clean-up went very well – many thanks to everyone and to the weather for cooperating and giving us a perfect day for it.  What a great Neighbor-helping-Neighbor spirit Gold Hill again demonstrated – including, of course, the Gold Hill Inn for again letting us use the parking lot.  It would be hard to pull off without that space.

I particularly want to thank Kris Gibson, Bobby Vrba, Val Crist, John Sand, Terry Walters, Murray Eaton, Chad Miltenberger, Marie Brookhart, Max Yeager and Amy Fortunato.  Also, thanks to all those who dropped by and helped while they were here and people who brought food.  Hopefully, I did not forget anyone, but if I did, please know your help was appreciated.

The County people; Bethany – the electronics person, Lisa – the plastics recycling person, Dale – the tire (who knew we had so many tires hanging around?) and refrigerator guy, and the mattress guys were wonderful to work with and helped all around, too. It was a great effort by all, I think.  Let me know if you have any suggestions for next year.

Gratefully yours, Gretchen

Sand Table Demonstration –Peter has been trying to get ahold of Jay Stallnaker, but has not been able to. Pam has his email and will send it to Peter. Peter will see if he can set up potential dates for us to see this demonstration. He’s seen it and says it’s fantastic. There is a projector that can impose different wind and weather conditions on our topography and vegetation and let us see how fires spread under different conditions and how mitigation, etc. can help.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS, CONT.

Conflict of Interest Policy – Gretchen reports that we need to adopt a formal conflict of interest policy for the 501(c) 4 to (c)3 paperwork. We seemed to have skipped over formally adopting this, and will have to do this at the August meeting.

Glasses and T-Shirts report – Deb reports that there is interest in both red and green glasses (as well as the blue ones, which have almost sold out). Based on the interest, Tony moved that we order 168 more – colors for Deb to decide on based on requests. Steffi seconded and it passed unanimously. We also have t-shirts with the same logo.

Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary