Posted on: September 26th, 2010

Minutes of the August 9, 2010 Town Meeting

Next Meeting will be October 11, 2010, 7:30 p.m. at the Community

The meeting was called to order by Chair Val Crist.  Seventeen people attended.  Town Meeting members included: John Sand, Mary Ryan, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Edie Eilender, Cherry Sand, Val Crist, Debra Yeager, Amy Hardy, Treasurer Adriana Galue, Vice Chair Jim Smith, and Karen Simmons.  Petra Honsack attended, indicating on the sign-in sheet that she is not a member.  Jared Hall from the Transportation Department attended and four people from the mine/mill attended including  Terry Heard plus three people whose names I could not read.

Minutes of the June 14 meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Adriana reports that we have a balance of $5901.10

Cemetery Fund                  2962.21         Planning                    82.00

Forest Mgmt                     75.22         Weed Mgmt                  526.70

Historic Zoning                     11.23         Trails                             31.29

Mountain Town Transit Study – Jared Hall reports that we can have input into the study online and he encouraged us to participate.  They will consider expanded service to our mountain communities in the western part of Boulder County.

Elections – Val began the annual election process by putting the names of all who were nominated for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Member at Large, and listing an outline of their duties.  The Council is principally empowered to carry out the wishes of the Town Meeting.  Several people were nominated for each position, but when it all boiled down, only one person accepted each nomination.

The Town Council elected to serve until elections next August consists of:

Chair (conducts the meetings)                           Amy Hardy

Vice Chair (backs up the chair)                           John Sand

Secretary (puts our minutes, etc.)                  Gretchen Diefenderfer

Treasurer (keeps the checkbook accts, pays insurance bills, etc.)                                    Adriana Galue

Member at Large (principally runs the bake sale)         Debra Yeager

Our thanks go out to all who served so well for the last year, as well as to those who are willing to step up this time.  Cheers from the crowd.

Amy took over chairing the meeting, and we launched into the

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – no report

Historical Zoning – Cherry reports that Marge McLellan’s daughter Ann plans to continue renovating the historical cabin on Main Street despite Marge’s having passed on.  We will always love Marge’s little cabin and miss her.

Elections for Board members are due soon,  – Cherry will send out a notice when they’re scheduled.

Forest Management/CWPP – Edie reminded everyone to consider the Pine Bark Beetle’s flight time when cutting trees (approx. mid June to mid

September).

Ryan Ludlow, Forestry Education and Outreach Coordinator from
Boulder County Land Use (
www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth) spoke at the Insectiva Invasion’s singing performance in Allenspark.  He reports that there is new evidence that the Pine Bark Beetle can travel long distances – they gather in clouds.  There are 8 times more beetles in the trees now and Ips beetles hit slash piles.

Gold Hill Fire Protection District – Val reports that training is the 2^nd Saturdy and 4^th Thursday of each month.  Come on out and join in.  The Fire Board is looking for a new member also.

Leslie and Debra recently spent seven hours cleaning the upstairs of the Firebarn (the Community Center), and are pretty fed up with the mess we who use it are leaving.  People who use the Community Center are requested to ask permission first and need to clean up afterward, be responsible, and respect the space.  There is a vacuum cleaner for use.  The outdoor privy is no longer in use, and the Fire Department bathroom is not functional at this time.

CWPP – nothing in the works right now, as far as Val knows.

Weed Management – Susan Fernalld is out of town, but she does still have wildflower seeds for sale.

Historical Gold Hill – Edie reports that the Museum is open Saturday and Sunday until Labor Day.  Then it will be open by appointment.  Joe Weaver will conduct his mine tour on August 14.  Cost is $3.00/person – meet at the town well in front of Sinners.

Mining – Jim reports that Aurora Gold is taking possession.  They have hired a geologist, Louis Harvey.  Mick Montgomery, from Australia, is the head.  Murray Watts will begin core drilling around August 24.  They are in the process of re-permitting – some permits don’t transfer.  They’ve been meeting with the BLM and State of Colorado officials and are moving forward.  They’re hoping to be back underground after the first of the year.  The transfer from Mt. Royale Ventures to Aurora Gold happened yesterday.  Aurora Gold interim Manager is Paul Jones.  Terry Heard reports that he has been associated with the Mine and Mill since 1981 and is ready to be moving on.

Gold Hill School – will open on Monday.

NEW BUSINESS

CWPP – Karen Simmons inquired about future mitigation projects she would like to see, particularly in Rowena.  Val recommended that she get in touch with Kris Gibson.  Val got involved when she saw the threat in her back yard and recommends that people with the energy to get another project going get involved and help to make it happen.

Ladies Pot Luck – Cherry reports that it is scheduled for August 15 at her  house, 620 Main Street.  This was an old tradition, which died out and she and Martha decided to revive it.

Town Funds – Adriana has noticed that we do not have a lot of income, and wonders if we should be looking into alternative methods of raising money in addition to our annual bake and rummage sale.  John responded that we always respond when there is a perceived need.

Rejuvenation/participation within the Community – Amy wants to find ways to involve more people in the Town Meeting.  She asked about the town Cemetery – is it being maintained regularly or does it need attention?

John reports that the Gold Hill Club has discussed getting together a work party to address clean up, etc., in the cemetery, they have $400 left over from the Sesquicentennial, and will get with Bob Walter, Chair of the Cemetery Committee, to come up with a plan.

Beetle Trees – Deb expressed some concern with beetle-hit trees on private property.  No one is sure if anything can be done.   One’s home is his/her castle, after all.  We’ve gone with education and outreach so far.

Town Website – Elon sent an email recommending that our website, which is in WordPress, needs regular maintenance (such as security up grades).  Angela Bowman, the person who helped us build the site and who conducted the trainings is available to take this role.  She can take responsibility to make sure the site is healthy, and would do her best to keep the hours low for us as a non-profit.  Adriana will do some research and report back at the next meeting.