Posted on: August 30th, 2025

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the August 11, 2025  Zoom and in person Town Meeting

 

Next Town Meeting is a Special Town Meeting on Bylaws

Monday, September 8, 7:00 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Maedke.  Eight people attended in person: Michael Albes, Member at Large John Hatelid, Dan, Martha Knapp, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Janos Wilder, Kalyn Pembridge, and Anita Sturtz.  Attending by Zoom: Val Crist, Vice Chair Kelly Veit, Maggie Simms and David Brigham, Kaitlyn Barthell, Virginia Schultz, Treasurer Chrissy Maedke, and Leslie Finn.

Minutes  –  John moved that we approve the minutes, Michael seconded and the minutes were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Chrissy presented the report, which generated some discussion – for instance, how do we see how we came out on the Town Clean Up?  How much did it cost us and what did we bring in in donations.

Activity Spreadsheet & Summary
Date	Activity/Description	Earmark ACCT	Credits	Debits	Balance
8.8.22	Electronic Withdrawl BoCo Treasurer	GF	–	$66.58	$33,296.01
8.15.22	ck #1320 – Teens Inc.	FM	–	$6,400.00	$26,896.01
8.22.22	ck #1318 – Geesaman T Co.	CF	–	$250.00	$26,646.01
8.30.22	ck #1324 – Mountain Medlers	PTO	–	$1,000.00	$25,646.01
8.31.22	ck #1323 – Gold Rush – D. Maedke	CP	–	$1,000.00	$24,646.01
9.1.22	ck #1329 – Virginia Schultz	FM	–	$515.35	$24,130.66
9.7.22	ck #1321 – Boulder Watershed Collective	FM	–	$9,987.68	$14,142.98
9.13.22	ck #1328 – Yeager Excavation	FM	–	$500.00	$13,642.98
9.15.22	ck #1327 – Emily Rose	FM	–	$1,100.00	$12,542.98
9.19.22	Cash Deposit – Gold Rush	CP	$25.00	–	$12,567.98
9.20.22	ck #1325 – Julie Carpenter	FM	–	$1,100.00	$11,467.98
9.15.22	ck #1326 – Charles Steinberg	FM	–	$1,100.00	$10,367.98
10.9.22	ck #5316 – Gold Rush	CP	$50.00	–	$10,417.98
10.9.22	ck #4846 – Gold Rush	CP	$30.00	–	$10,447.98
10.9.22	ck #1544 – Gold Rush	CP	$25.00	–	$10,472.98
10.9.22	ck #9751 – Gold Rush	CP	$25.00	–	$10,497.98
10.9.22	ck #360 – Cemetary Plot	CF	$200.00		$10,697.98
10.9.22	ck #0379 – Gold Rush	CP	$25.00	–	$10,722.98
10.9.22	ck #7299 – Cemetary Plot	CF	$100.00	–	$10,822.98
Not yet deposited	Cash – Gold Rush	CP	$1,485.00	–	$12,307.98

 Chrissy likes the various reports and has them posted on Google Drive. To access Google Drive, go to Google, in the upper R corner click on the box of 9 dots, click on Google Drive, then click on the little house labeled Home on the left and you will see the bylaws and the Treasurer’s reports (https://drive.google.com/drive/home). Several people expressed that Google Drive and QuickBooks can be confusing.  Martha thought that QB is more for accounting versus bookkeeping, which is what we did previously. 

Next on the Agenda was consideration of bylaws – after discussion, the consensus was to move to New Business – Elections – then reports and then vote on the 3 bylaws that were up for a yay or nay and see where we are.   Gretchen made a motion that we schedule a Special Town Meeting to focus on the remaining bylaws up for consideration/discussion.  General agreement was expressed.

Elections – With that we moved on to elections.  Michael expressed thanks and appreciation for everyone who has served on our present Council.  Dan announced that he was stepping down.  Gretchen asked if he might reconsider – he’s done a great job and we all appreciate him. Val concurred, but he added that he’s done it for 10 years and has other things he wants to focus on.  We have generally started with the Chair.

         Val nominated Kelly Veit for Chair, Martha seconded.  Kelly was uncertain and wanted to see what transpired with the rest of the Council.  Martha volunteered to be Vice-Chair. 

         Dan then thought we should flip the order and begin with the Member at Large.  John agreed to continue, which was unanimously supported and congratulations expressed.

         Secretary – Gretchen agreed to continue, was also unanimously supported.

         Treasurer – Val nominated Chrissy if willing, but she also declined.  Janos asked how many hours per week the position required.  Chrissy responded that it’s like all the jobs on the council – it’s what you make of it.  Just paying the bills and keeping track is not usually too time consuming, it’s what else you hope to do (like the bylaws).  Dan nominated Martha, Michael seconded, and she was elected unanimously.

         Vice Chair – Martha nominated Kaitlin, Gretchen seconded.  She agreed and was elected unanimously.

         With that, we were back around to Chair, and Martha nominated Kelly, who agreed to run, added she was happy to learn it and asked for a little grace.  Val seconded and Kelly was also elected unanimously.

So, our new Town Council:

         Chair                  Kelly Veit

         Vice Chair           Kaitlyn Barthell

         Secretary             Gretchen Diefenderfer

         Treasurer            Martha Knapp

         Member at Large John Hatelid

John proposed that Dan continue to run the meeting as Kelly is on the road and participating by Zoom and Dan agreed.  Dan thanked everyone for stepping up and Val added thank you, thank you, thank you – general clapping all around.

Committee Reports

AirLink – generated more discussion.  Really, it’s an affiliated organization, is its own 501(C)3, Dina Elder is mainly in charge and doesn’t live in Gold Hill any more.  However, we are holding $1000 in donations/grant money for them and are committed to $500/year to support the Ham radio tower up at Gretchen’s, which facilitates emergency communications. Also, we appreciate knowing what’s going on with them.  Chrissy added that there are also several community members with Ham licenses who participate.

 Senior Alliance – Val’s synopsis of GH Area Seniors’ Activities

         July’s meeting (@ Firestation) dealt with the following topic: Caregiving, presented by Rima, Rebecca, and Pam S.

         August meeting, hosted by Paul and Marybeth covered: Transportation, report from Val.

         Discussion of meeting frequency with an outcome of continuing monthly.

         Spontaneous social after.

Plant workshop 8/10/25 by botanist Kaitlyn and florist Joanne.  Collected and educated on weeds and made arrangements.

Upcoming Social 8/23/25 2-4 details to follow.

Plant/seed social w/Kaitlyn leading, details to follow

Cemetery – no report

Fundraising & Merchandise – John reports GH water bottles are in and will be for sale at the Gold Rush, September 7, Sunday.  It will be somewhat scaled down – no music – but will focus on baked goods, rummage, crafts.  Calling for volunteers to help.  Gretchen volunteered.  More info out soon – Addendum, see announcement and flyer on website (goldhilltown.com)-  https://goldhilltown.com/gold-hill-gold-rush-2/

Gold Hill School – School (K – 5) starts Wednesday, the 13^th.  They have 12 students, one full-time teacher (Chrissy), and Christine who is ½ time office help and ½ time para.  Possibly will be looking for another 15-20 hour para.

Historic Zoning – no report

IMA – Pam Sherman sent an email:

IMA continues to be a hub connecting with ODM. ODM’ Emergency Coordinator Monika Weber introduced the new Emergency Manager, Ryan Singer. Monika will be doing emergency prep events throughout September and for Wildfire Awareness Week. The latter will be coordinated with Meg Halford of Wildfire Partners and Pam Sherman of IMA and PLT (Project Learning Tree.) Unusually strong and frequent chinook winds are expected for the next few weeks, so prep for evac now; be prepared, whether we end up getting evac’ed or not. 

We talked about the difference between WEAs (Wireless Emergency Alerts) and Everbridge Notifications. WEAs go out to everyone, tourists, visitors, residents and to a wider area. They are not specific. Everbridge Notifications go out to only specific areas; that’s why they ask for your address(es) when you sign up. 

Thank you,   Pam

Local Business Partnership – No report, but Kelly is recruiting people to join the committeel  Kalyn Pembridge voliunteered.

Mountain Stewards – Virginia reports that Boyd Brown and Marcus Moench worked on a grant application that came up suddenly.  They met with Boulder Watershed Collective (BWC) in cooperation with the BLM.  For the Fire Mitigation Festival, the goats were successful with fuels reduction in the town meadow. The BLM is finished with their work.  There are piles of slash down Lickskillet to burn in the future.  Val added that she also worked with the BLM (her place is surrounded).  The BLM by State law isn’t allowed to take out trees larger than 7”.  Wildfire Partners has a “Junk the Juniper” push planned.  We’ve sent a note asking if we can get assistance (up to $10,000) to work on this.

         Dan added that they did get the grant application in.  The Fire Department and the BWC  would facilitate.  Yes, the goats were very successful in providing a massive fuel break in the town meadow for the second year in a row, so we should be able to see how effective this proves to be. Home hardening was accomplished on 3 residences on Main Street.  Lots of slash was disposed of in the dumpsters.

Museum – no report , but Dan volunteered that the Community Outreach went really well and the Museum is open on weekends.

Native Gardens & Ecology Committee – Kaitlyn expressed thanks to Val for helping with two events – the June Meadow weed walk and the July weed workshop.  There will maybe be a seed collection event in the fall.

NeighborLink and SafeLink – no report.

BYLAWS

Vote on Proposed Bylaw Changes

 Article II: Membership  Proposed Addition

Section B, Membership Voting Procedures

The GHTM shall establish procedures and methods to ensure that only eligible members participate in elections, that all members are properly notified of the election, and that the nomination and voting processes, including all relevant deadlines, are clearly communicated in advance.

Election procedures may allow for voting to take place over a period of up to three (3) days, beginning with the date of the annual meeting.

The Town Council shall determine the methods of voting, which may include any combination of:

• In-person voting by show of hands;
• written ballot;
• Voting by electronic means

Maggie moved we adopt, John seconded.  In the discussion, it was stressed that the voting options are to provide flexibility in case of something like COVID happens again.  Motion passed: 10 Ayes, 1 opposed, and 1 abstention.

Article III: Members Meetings Proposed Addition

Section G, Parliamentary Authority and Meeting Procedures: 

The GHTM shall conduct meetings in an orderly, inclusive manner that encourages good faith participation and respectful conduct. The general principles of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be applied, unless they conflict with the GHTM’s bylaws or any special or standing rules. The Chair, or the facilitating Town Council member, shall determine whether such a conflict exists and how to proceed.

In the discussion,  Gretchen suggested that everything after “The general principles of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be applied” should be deleted.  Val noted that it says “Proposed Addition” so discussion should be allowed and if it’s decided that we want to amend it, it will need to be voted on at the next meeting.  It was moved to table this, Michael seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Article VII: Financials

Section B, Financial Oversight and Budget Adjustments: Proposed Changes

All checks, drafts, notes, and similar financial instruments shall be signed and executed on behalf of the GHTM by Town Council members who are authorized signatories of the GHTM.

Once the annual budget has been approved, any adjustment to a committee’s allocated funds from the town’s general budget shall require approval from the relevant Committee Chair. Committees may spend their designated funds at their discretion, provided expenditures align with the committee’s stated mission and purpose.

The Treasurer is authorized to adjust non-committee operating budget allocations as necessary to meet the evolving needs of conducting GHTM business.  New purchases require GHTM approval.

Maggie moved we adopt, John seconded.  Discussion ensued regarding the last paragraph concerning the Treasurer being authorized to adjust the budget, but the motion passed with no nays.

Special Town Meeting to discuss further bylaws – Gretchen moved that we schedule another Special TM to continue discussing the bylaws on Monday, September 8.  Dan stated that he would love to see better participation.  Martha added that she has heard from several people that they no longer attend TMs because they’ve been taken over by the bylaws so the Special TM might help.  Chrissy expressed that we’ve been working on them for so long and that there has been opportunity for input many times, but Val said that she has not heard about specific bylaw committee meetings and that it’s important for people to know about them and have the opportunity to participate.  Leslie then suggested that a big issue is interest and attendance and that maybe we should do a massive campaign to let people now they’re members of the TM beyond the town emails – maybe send a postcard to everyone in the TM area.

Chrissy added that she thinks the website needs a great deal of work or we need a new one.  Gretchen responded that she’s spoken with Angela, our website person who set it up for us originally 11 years ago) and has a lot of pointers about tidying it up, but could use help.  Martha thinks we need to add a static link to Google Drive, since Chrissy put the bylaws, treasurers report, etc. there.

Maggie said she’d vote against a Special Bylaw TM if we’ll be discussing bylaws already approved as well as those still to be decided.  Gretchen expressed the opinion that some were approved without enough discussion – like the one that lets the TC have the town meetings whenever they decide rather than the second Monday of even months as it’s been (Article III, Members Meetings, Section A, General Membership Meetings).

The motion to have a Special TM on September 8 passed with 7 in favor and 4 nays.

Virginia added that it’s easy to get the list of property owners as well as the addresses of the actual property (in case the property owner is elsewhere) and it takes some work to get a good list.  Martha offered to help write the postcard if we decide to send one to everyone in the TM area

Michael moved we adjourn, it was seconded and passed unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Gold Rush -Sunday, September 7 from 9-2

Buffalo Bicycle Classic – September 7

Fall Bocce Tournament –  Saturday, August 30