Posted on: January 25th, 2024

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the December 11, 2023, Zoom Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, February 12, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Maedke.  Eighteen people attended: Dan, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Treasurer Chrissy Maedke, Cat Russell, Rick Sheingold, Karen Simmons, Marcus Moench, Shannon Lindow, Vice Chair Eli Zabielski, Maggie Simms, Leslie Finn, Marybeth Neal, Elisabeth Caspari, Member at Large John Hatelid, Deb Yeager, Bear Carlson, Virginia Schultz, Clare Tone.

Minutes – The minutes of the October meeting were approved as published.

Mountain Stewards – Marcus reported that we do not know about the AIM Grant yet.  We also have applications into the Boulder Valley Conservation District and the Boulder Watershed Collective for strategic fuels mitigation for 158 acres including local areas around town and west of Gold Hill, grasslands, plus significant  money for slash dumpsters.  There is a requirement for landowner matching funds and they hope to be able to cover a significant amount of that.  He walked the areas with the program manager and submitted the app. earlier today.

     Cat reported on information for individuals due to the Biden Inflation Reduction Act , which passed last year and she presented a great slide show.  The IRA was a huge investment in energy supply related infrastructure and investment in environmental justice for low income people, including new jobs, support for electrical vehicles including charging stations, tax incentives for heat pumps.  There are all kinds of tax rebates for purchasing new and used EVs, cash for clunkers traded in, and Federal Tax credits as well. 

     Virginia shared a list of resources and information – see  https://goldhilltown.com/resource-list-from-mountain-stewards/

Land Acknowledgement – Chrissy reports that it’s still a work in progress.  Dan moved that we adopt the first page and Virginia seconded the motion.  See https://drive.google.com/drive/home  The motion carried with no nays.  The rest is still malleable and input is welcome.

Budget –  For the entire budget, go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oQqTl5yTZH3BolLlJ_PWKF4FYJNLXpAL5F0MEntQZuI/edit#gid=1782632129

Here is the summary page

Starting date: 12/10/23
Opening Balances			Accounts	Amount
		General	3449	$8,896.20
		Grants	7018	$500.00
		Savings	7000	$2,080.00
		Total Opening Balances:		$11,476.20
Income	General 3449
		Total		$0.00
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Income:		$0.00
Expenses	General 3449	Grave markers (3)		$798.75
		Party Food/Supplies		$90.84
		IRS 990		$50.00
		Zoom		$157.68
		Total		$1,097.27
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Expenses:		$1,097.27
Ending Balances		General	3449	$7,798.93
		Grants	7018	$500.00
		Savings	7000	$2,080.00
12/31/23		Total Closing Balances:		$10,378.93

 

Chrissy reported that going into 2024 we have budgeted for expected expenses, although we would like to be able to do more things and help more people.

     Deb had a question – we have had traditional events organized by volunteers that bring the community together and raise money like the Gold Rush.  Are we planning on this for 2024?  Dan responded that the plan is yes and it does bring in money.

     Marcus added that the Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant needs fundraising/donations for matching funds and will need a rolling fund, too.  He would like to see a line item under Mountain Stewards. They will have to clarify their needs. Chrissy pointed out that we do still have money in the savings account, but otherwise we don’t have $ to put into Mountain Stewards right now.

       Dan added that in the past we have spent money to put on events that raise money.  Virginia asked when the bylaws require us to adopt a budget?  Gretchen replied that they don’t.  We always did a very general budget report on what we need and expect to raise money to cover it or expect to figure out fundraisers to raise more income needed.

     Marcus volunteered that when they ran an organization, they had a core budget that addressed what they  needed to pay the bills and then a target budget for aspirations – what they were trying to do. 

     Gretchen added that the Gold Rush has always made money and in past years made enough to cover our bills.  Deb added that one point of the Gold Rush is that it doesn’t need to be costly to put on and is voluntarily driven.  It seems to have gotten larger and more expensive over the last few years.  Dan confessed that the last few years the number of volunteers has been down and maybe it’s his fault for not organizing more and requesting more volunteers.  He likes to have the money up front and thinks we can branch out as well and include a target budget.

     Deb added that in shifting the way we’ve traditionally done the budget to this format we need to take care to not lose the spirit of volunteerism that is a big part of making Gold Hill what it is, versus bringing more and more people into town to make more and more money.  One example is the music – in the past, we asked for volunteers versus paying for a band and there were local musicians happy to do it.

     Virginia suggested we add target lines to this budget as it stands and Chrissy will do so. 

     Rick asked if the Member at Large isn’t responsible for the Gold Rush – yes, but since the Gold Rush is usually in September and elections are in August, the previous Member at Large generally runs it and mentors the newly elected M@L, so it will be John Hatelid in 2024.  Dan, Gretchen and Deb will certainly help and know others will as well.

Committee Reports – Chrissy presented a slide slow of the year in review – see https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sXU6ZGyOlYr7I84Icyi6zr-4gyO_NOKhWI4JaSK0DEY/edit#slide=id.g1c0ab11c0a8_0_1

AirLink – no report

Fundraising/Merch – Dan reports we have purchased new pint glasses and they’ll be available at the Holiday Party on Saturday

Cemetery – Maggie Simms sent an email with the annual report for 2023

     Town Clean up –  There was no cleanup this year as the work required was limited and was performed by the committee itself.

     Requested/Received plot donations during 2023:    5 @ $100,  2 at $120.

     Plots dug:     4

     Burials:    4

     Headstones set:    3

     News:

• We have added in a new Cemetery Committee member: Kathy Frey.  She along with her husband, Mark, have begun assisting with the digging of graves, and meeting with qualifying residents as well as acting as back-up.
• We are in talks with Dustin Geesaman to do fire-mitigation tree-limbing this winter. He has given us a bid:  $2,165.00 for pruning, chipping and disposal. We plan to approve of his bid.
• We have investigated purchasing 3 un-marked grave markers at $240.45 a piece, will come to a total of $721.35. We have not yet confirmed purchase or lay-out, but plan to by the end of the year.
• The committee has approved the above expenses.

     Respectfully submitted,   Maggie Simms

Fire Department – No report

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports school is going well, see  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RqQxQ4af_0Nm4_qkkzHK4eRMwWWYxuex/edit

Historic Zoning – No report

Mountain Stewards – Marcus reported that they like feedback whenever possible

regarding their priorities.  One gap is helping people with home hardening and helping the Fire Department re mitigation.  They would love anyone’s additional ideas

 New Revised Phone List – Chrissy is working on it.  https://goldhilltown.com/gold-hill-phone-list-2/   It would be helpful if you could check your contact information for accuracy.  If you would like to have your information added/deleted/changed, please contact Chrissy Maedke: ghtmtreasurer@nullgmail.com.  You have the option to additionally add your email and physical addresses.  This information will be available digitally, and a traditional phone number-only version will be available at the Gold Hill Store.  

 

Town Directory docs.google.com

 

Thanks for your help with this on-going effort!

NeighborLink – Deb is looking for help.  We need a few more people

 SafeLink – Chrissy is working to get a written MOU from the School District,  We’ve always been assured the school was available in an emergency, but she wants to get in in writing.

Weed Management – no report.

EVENTS – Cookies and Cocoa, December 16^th

 Respectfully submitted , Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary