Posted on: July 21st, 2024

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the June 10, 2024  Zoom and in person Town Meeting

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

ELECTIONS

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Maedke.  Ten people attended at the GH School: Dan, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Member at Large John Hatelid, Mike McNett, Boyd Brown, Bear Carlson, Poppy Copeland, Shannon Lindon, Vice Chair Eli Zabielski, Carolyn Ashley.  Attending by Zoom: Marybeth Neal, Richard Roth and Heidi Kessler, Marcus Moench, Maya McHamer of the Boulder Watershed Collective, Kris Hill, Clare Tone, Leslie Finn, Val Crist, and Chrissy Maedke.

 

Minutes of the February Meeting were approved as published.  They can always be found on the town website  goldhilltown.com  along with lots of other town info.

 

 

Fire Mitigation – Maya McHamer reported that just today there is a new contracting crew working on the north side of town for two weeks cleaning up the end stages, seeding with grass and flowers and then will burn slash piles early next winter when conditions are good.  Caroline added that she’s really happy with the project – the return to green has been quick.  Maya thinks there will be some firewood available soon. If people are interested, let Dan know.  Also, part of the grant money is for funding goat grazing in the town meadow – it’s a 2 year pilot project.  Upper Lickskillet – BLM project – they’re seeking a contractor to do mitigation work on both sides of Lickskillet and to tie in with Caroline’s project.  Boyd asked if he needs to do anything regarding the firewood.  Maya will check on availability.  Boyd added that there will be more wood from the Ashram and Tone’s over the next 6 months.           The Sunset Trail races will be June 23, Sunday am.  There will be a 1K for kids, 5K, 12K, and 28K through Salina and Sunset, etc.  They can still use volunteers for the aid stations and in town.  They’re working with AMR, Ham Radio people, etc.

         Maya, the BWC, and the Mountain Stewards are all working on the next group of grants received.  Planning on a green wall fire break on GHTM property as well as funding work near East Street, which will involve a lot of handwork to get to hard to reach places.

Dan added that these multiple mitigation projects create a safer community.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Switzerland Trail – Dan reports that he, Kate Inskeep, Clare, and Marcus have applied for a grant to manage the ST and are looking at the options to mitigate the destruction and prevent future damage: signage, fences, pay for patrols?   Possibly our new Fire Chief, Rich Caudill, will have some good input.  Bear asked what we can do to help and Dan replied that they’ve had conversations with Commissioner Claire Levy and others.  Boyd added that, since there are so many groups involved (Forest Service, Boulder County, the Sheriff, Transportation Department) it’s a challenge.  A certain number of people will respond to educational signs, but… Getting a deputy is logistically difficult. Marcus added that it will be essential to coordinate through the Fire Department.  John added that it’s such a hodgepodge of jurisdictions.  Clare has talked with Mike Thomas of Boulder County about County Right of Way issues and has had a little back and forth with the Forest Service.  Claire Levy has been working to help clarify jurisdictional issues also.  The shooting closures have been a good thing and the County is still looking into a shooting range somewhere – little progress.  There is a new Forest Service person coming and Claire is trying to get him to come to a GH Town Meeting.  Maya has worked with Jason Teague and suggested he might be a good resource. Boyd stressed that it will be a step-by-step process over time.

         Richard reported that Sugarloaf is developing an organization – Friends of the Switzerland Trail – for fundraising, etc. involving 5 fire districts and will try to coordinate with the GHTM.  They’re forming a 501(c)3.  Clare will keep in touch with them.

 

Town Clean Up – Gretchen reports that it will be June 15 and we will definitely need donations to cover the dumpsters as the County supports the recycling/re-use efforts, but not trash dumpsters.  Also,  more help is needed – Val, Bear, John, and Dan immediately volunteered!  Bear pointed out that the origin of the town clean-up was to help get the town environs cleaned up and so we should all look around and help our neighbors.  Addendum: All kinds of people showed up to help and it was a great effort. Thanks to all!

 

Gold Rush (town bake and rummage, etc., sale) – Dan reports that it will be happening in the regular time frame – mid September.  He’s hoping to coordinate with Wildfire Partners (WFP) as well.  More info as plans come together and, again, volunteers are needed.  Gretchen volunteered and is sure others will, too

 

Chipping – Dan reports that putting together a group of 5 people and coordinating with WFP is still the best bet.  Val went to a WFP meeting and they are definitely still doing it.  There is also a possibility of the fire department putting together a day.

 

Gold Hill Fire Protection District – Boyd reports that the Board has hired a new chief – Rich Caudill – and he’s coordinating with Bret Gibson and Chris O’Neil, who had stepped in to help.  This is the first paid position the fire department has ever had and the aim is to move in the direction of more consistency.  Rich has a long history and a lot of experience – wildland fire, urban, and medical.  He took early retirement because of family health issues and is ready to get back to part time.  He’s very personable, understands our needs and small towns.  He’s been in town for trainings and doing administrative work – wants to know everyone and will come to the town meeting.  He lives in the Rock Creek area and will develop officers to respond until he gets to calls in our district.  Our regular response time is ~30 minutes and his is 38.  He’s really good.

 

4^th of July – Leslie reports that the Pancake Breakfast is happening at the School, as usual, and they need more volunteers.  Richard, our new chief, will be here and she added she has to sing his praises – he’s a great listener and incredibly knowledgeable.  Val will be handling traffic for the Parade and putting out info and a map for how floats need to line up and the timing.  Check out the fire department Facebook page (Gold Hill Fire Protection District).

 

Treasurer’s Report – Chrissy reports very little money in or out and no money in the Community Relief Fund right now.  Dan will be coordinating some fundraising.  For full reports go to Google Apps and select Google Drive, then spreadsheets for the Budget Gold Hill Town Meeting.

Starting date: 4/9/24
Opening Balances			Accounts	Amount
		General	3449	$9,728.68
		Grants	7018	$0.00
		Savings	7000	$2,724.65
		Total Opening Balances:		$12,453.33
Income	General 3449
		Total		$0.00
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Income:		$0.00
Expenses	General 3449	Cemetery Mitigation		$2,165.00
		GoDaddy Domain renewal		$22.17
		Relief Fund		$500.00
		Total		$2,687.17
	Grants 7018
		Total		$0.00
	Savings 7000
		Total		$0.00
		Total Expenses:		$2,687.17
Ending Balances		General	3449	$7,041.51
		Grants	7018	$0.00
		Savings	7000	$2,724.65
6/10/24		Total Closing Balances:		$9,766.16

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

AirLink – Chrissy reports that they are looking for more Ham Radio volunteers.

 

Business District –

Parking Issues and No Parking Signs – Leslie reports that we can put up our own signs, but if we want the Sheriff to enforce parking, we have to go through the County and have their official signs, even for “No Parking Here to Corner” signs.   The next steps seems to involve a Parking Committee to take this on.  Leslie, Dan, and Gretchen volunteered.  Boyd added that access/parking issues are always a concern from the Fire Department’s perspective.  Emergency access is crucial.  They have had very productive discussions with the Inn and the Pub, particularly, to get the bicyclists to move their bikes off the street and they have put in the restrooms in the back.  Big holiday events will always be difficult to control.  Some of the problems are solvable and some we’ll just have to deal with.  It’s gotten more crazy as we’ve become such a popular destination.  The committee has to begin in conjunction with the businesses.

 

Cemetery – No report

 

Community Events – Town Clean Up and Gold Rush have been covered.  The Wildfire Preparation event went well and they may do another.

 

Fundraising and Merchandise – on hold for now – merch will be available at the Gold Rush.

 

Gold Hill School –  Chrissy reports that the play was wonderful and thank you all for the support.  The garden project continues with the farm tubs now to help with watering.  Summer break is upon us and we’re looking forward to next year – hoping for more kids.

 

Health and Human Services –Chrissy thinks there is funding available, if we plan – Still a vision for the future. 

 

Historic Zoning – Bear reports history is alive and well and the only news is the property at 360 Boulder Street now has rusted corrugated metal siding vs. the not very historical Tyvek.

 

IMA – Marybeth checked with Pam and there is no report.

 

Mountain Stewards – Marcus reports that they have mostly supported grant writing and the need to put together matching funds.  Volunteer time counts for matching, i.e., the town clean up – we need to keep track of times – Dan will do.

 

Museum – Marybeth reports that the Community Outreach event will be Friday, June 21 at 5:30 with appetizers, drinks, and ice cream, followed by a program at 7 on historic foods of Gold Hill, plus special recognition of Joan Few and her invaluable contribution to our museum, and will include a book for people to write notes in for Joan.  Boyd added that she’s going to be really missed.

 

Native Flora, Gardens, and Weed Management – no report

 

NeighborLink – no report

 

SafeLink – Chrissy reports that the GH School finally has the paperwork that says we can actually use the school in case of emergency.

 

OTHER TOWN NEWS/EMERGING ISSUES

Bocce – Bear announced that this year is the 10^th anniversary of our bocce court in Gold Hill and the annual tournament – Poggio D’Oro – will be June 29^th.

 

Bylaws – Chrissy would like to start a bylaw conversation at the August Town Meeting.

 

Gold Hill Pub – Mike wanted to state that they would love to support the town with the Pub and the people who come to Gold Hill – they’d be happy to have a donation jar, sell merchandise.  Gretchen made a motion and Bear seconded to spend up to $2500 for merchandise to sell with the profits to go to the town.  Thanks to Mike for this show of support.

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.

 

 

P.S. If you no longer wish to receive the town newsletters, or if you know someone who wants to be on the list, please let me know.

 

Gretchen             gretchend@nullmac.com