Posted on: January 6th, 2011

Minutes of the December 13, 2010 Town Meeting, plus a report on the Fire Board meeting of 12-16-10 and a short history of the Firebarn/Community Center

Gold Hill Town Meeting Newsletter

Minutes of the December 13, 2010 Town Meeting, plus a report on the Fire Board meeting of 12-16-10 and a short history of the Firebarn/Community Center by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next Town Meeting: Monday, February 7, 2011, 7:30 P.M. at the Community Center.  It’s usually the second Monday of even months, but it was changed so that it’s not on Valentine’s Day.

Chair Amy Hardy called the Town Meeting to order.  Thirty people attended: Cherry Sand, Poppy Good, Edie Eilender, Jim Smith, Mark Elder, John Sand, Chrissy McCaul, Teresa Robertson, Rich Fakelmann, Bob Kettz (sp?), Dina Elder, Kris Gibson, Bob & Luzie Mason, Chad Miltenberger, Rick Sheingold, Linnea Grovom, Val Crist, Debra Yeager, Gordon Dveirin, Joan Borysenko, Leslie Finn, Dave & Stefanie Wilson, Susan Fernalld, Michael Albes, Lisa & Darrell McConnell, Amy Hardy, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the October 11, 2010 Town Meeting were approved.  See town website (https://goldhilltown.com/) for minutes, etc.

Treasurer’s Report – Adriana Galue is attending her last class (celebration is in order), and emailed her report.  We have a total balance of $19,855.

Fire Fund                        $13,289            General Fund            $2,277

Cemetery                            3,562            Planning                                82

Forest Mgmt                      75            Weed Mgmt                 527

Historic Zoning                      11            Trails                                           31

Fire Department – Val (vjcrist@nullhotmail.com) gave her report first as she wasn’t feeling very well.  A number of Committees have been formed in response to needs expressed by the Fire Department for help.

Laundry for cleaning gear – Dina Elder (dina.elder@nullgmail.com)

Food for trainings – Joan Few (joan@fewpacom), plus Cherry, Kathleen, Maggie, Teresa.

Data Entry/call reports, etc. – Kathleen Gilgannon (heartsong101@nullhotmail.com), plus Steffi and Lisa

Grants & CWPP – Kris Gibson – needs 5 people to help

Web Maintenance – Steffi Wilson (moarla@nullmac.com) plus Gretchen

Phone Tree for emergency use – Deb Yeager (deb@nullmountainvisions.net), plus Dina, Lisa, Teresa

Barn Boss during calls – Lisa McConnell – people will need some training

Emergency Child Care – Chrissy McCaul

Will need:

Barn Maintenance leader – carpentry, etc.

Barn & Fire Department Inventory Leader – a.k.a. Quartermaster

Barn  Boss Team Members

Val respectfully requests input from FD officers and board members who haven’t already made known their desired changes and prioritization of such.  Thank you everyone for stepping up!

Community Planning/Trails – no report

Historical Zoning – no report

Forest Management – Susan reports that she has been meeting with various professionals regarding the Town Meadow.  Today she met with Allen Owen of the CSFS, who came up and walked the meadow.  He didn’t completely agree with everyone else – FEST, etc. and others – who have said basically that we don’t need to do anything – the meadow will recover well on its own.  He thinks the slope may erode in little rills and suggested the logs left by the CWPP work should be moved cross slope, staggered, and anchored in some way.  Susan will be contacting Claire DeLeo (FEST leader) to try to get the meadow in on the aerial mulching.  If we do it ourselves, using weed free straw, it wouldn’t be too expensive, but would need volunteers to help rake it in.  It would help stabilize the soil.  As far as hazard trees, Allen suggested that it will be 4 to 6 years before they start to fall and we should keep people out of the area.  Susan suggested we might want signage to keep kids from sledding in the forest area and others from hiking through there.  She did report that it’s pretty unanimous that those black trees above the meadow are dead.  Chrissy will bring it up at the school – to keep kids out of the burned forest.

There will be another Community Meeting on January 18 to get updates on County plans for the burned areas and to answer questions.  Eventually the Town will have to decide exactly how we want to treat our meadow and other burned areas.  As far as runoff is concerned, so much depends on the weather – how much rain and snow we get in the spring.   Susan does recommend signs for people’s own safety and the good of the land.  She feels decisions can wait until after the January 18 Community Meeting where we will get more information in order to feel comfortable with our decisions.

Teresa moved that we put up signs warning about the hazards and asking people to stay out since it’s a safety issue.  Edie seconded.  Rick amended it to include educational stuff – emails, etc, – to inform everyone.  John Sand seconded and it passed.  Send suggestions to Susan Fernalld and her committee. (sfernalld@nullmsn.com).

CWPP – Kris reports that, since the fires, and the amped up perceived risks, a Round Table of people have been working to gather information, funds, and resources for future action.   They would like more participation from landowners. Kris has turned in recommendations for our area – more later on this.

Also, the County is working on a County-wide CWPP and they want participation from private citizens to make decisions on recommendations that come in.  There will be 4 meetings and some homework – volunteers are needed.  See http://www.bouldercounty.org/government/dept/pages/landusemain.aspx under CWPP for information and applications.

Fire Department – There will be a Firefighter I Class in January.  Plus, Sunshine has volunteered to GPS our district and we’ll get a great map out of it.

Mining – Jim Smith reports that they have completed their core drilling program and are working on the permitting process.  It will probably be a year from now before mining.  They have been doing some erosion control, mulching, and contour logging.  They have a lot of sandy soils they’re trying to mitigate.  They have an open door policy – stop in any time there is someone there.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that there will be a small music program on Thursday and a big play before Spring Break.  Financially they are now in good shape.  They received $3500 from the Fire Fund, $3200 from Impact on Education, $5800 from Western Disposal, and made $4200 on the Fall Fiesta.  Additionally, Proposition 3A passed so the District is much more comfortable – they had cut the SRA funds, but have given most of it back.  They have 28 kids this year and there is no risk of losing teachers, etc.  They are now maxed out and will probably not be taking open enrollment kids except siblings for now.

OLD BUSINESS

Ads on Website – Mick Montgomery of Aurora Gold (our present mining group) has offered to help sponsor our website.  After some discussion about the desirability of ads, it was decided to let it drop.

NEW BUSINESS

Firebarn/Community Center – Amy reports that at the last General Fire Department Meeting, Chief Chris Finn announced plans for a locker room, which would take up space up here in the Community Center.  Leslie Finn, Fire Board Member, is here to report on these plans.  She says the main reason is that the FPD is a government agency and has to spend tax money responsibly.  The bunker gear, which is now kept downstairs in the Firebarn, degrades by being exposed to exhaust fumes and fire fighters shouldn’t be exposed to them either.  There are OSHA issues.  New bunker gear is ~$3,000 a set and they have to get them out of the exhaust.  Exhaust systems are too expensive.  They are getting bids on systems on the walls to suck out and filter the exhaust.  She estimates that the locker room would take up about ¼ of the space, with room for the bunker gear and the office to secure their records.  This would be the cheapest solution and there are setback issues as far as additions or extra buildings are concerned.

Kris added that the town is growing and we should think big.   Is there land out there for additional building?

Teresa suggested we should consult an architect for the most efficient solution.  Individual lockers versus a wall were suggested, but Leslie says they are prohibitively expensive.

Deb wondered about building out a dormer on the side above the 3^rd bay and doing fundraisers and using volunteer labor.

Amy added that we can be more active about attending Fire Board Meetings – the next one is this Thursday at 8 p.m. – and the Town can certainly contribute money to this project.

Chrissy said that the School is always available for meetings and events, but in the discussion it was pointed out that it hasn’t always been easily available and might not be if she is no longer the teacher.  Luzie added that we used to meet in the school, but were then no longer allowed when the School District took title to it.

John Sand pointed out that the Community is all of us and, not to take sides, but the Community has a strong interest and legacy in building this building and the upstairs as the Community Center.  And it sounds like the Fire Department is dictating decisions.  And, isn’t the Fire Board elected by the Community? The next place to go is the Fire Board Meetings – Amy added that we do have money in the Fire Fund.

Leslie replied that this does need to come to the Fire Board.  They are a government entity and have to follow certain laws regarding liability issues, etc.  The mind set is that the Fire Board does not have to answer to the Community.  Amy added that she did hear that the Board would take into consideration suggestions from the town.  Several of us agreed to attend.

Finally, Leslie said they did get a survey with the addition of the third bay and the wall was a cheap, easy solution to c.y.a.

Oral Histories of the Fire – Dina reports that they have 30 so far and the Carnegie Library oral history program is interested in helping.  They would be an umbrella and would protect the stories they collect.  They imagine possibly a book/DVD set with pictures and they will do the transcribing.  We would have a copy for our Museum.  She will be bringing around release forms for interviewed individuals and they can decide how public/private they want their stories to be.

Community Ride Board – Teresa wonders if there is interest in looking into a Yahoo group or a listserve  – some kind of community network – to connect us for carpooling.  Amy will talk to Angela (our website person) to get her suggestions.  We need to put out an email for ideas and volunteers to help make it work.

Fall Fiesta Fundraising – Deb reports that the winning designs for the t-shirt contest – Steffie’s design won in the adult division and Brodie Hawk won for the kids – have also been turned into towels, aprons, and hoodies.  Sales at the FF raised ~$1500 – $2000, and there have been further sales since then.  After New Year’s, the shirts, etc. will go to the Store and proceeds will go to the town.

Town Potluck – is this Sunday, December 19 here in the Community Center.  Decorating will be Saturday at 1:00 and volunteers are invited.  This is a wonderful event, held the Sunday before Christmas each year, and everyone is invited.

Fire Fund – Amy reports that all but $150 of the $6,000 allocated by the Town Meeting for people affected by the fire was disbursed to local folks.  We’ll discuss at the February meeting plans for the remaining funds.

REPORT ON THE FIRE BOARD MEETING 12-16-10, by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Dave Steinmann is the Board Chairman.  Board members include Ben Blaugrund,  Leslie Finn, Darrell McConnell, and Dave Sturtz.  Others attending: Chief Chris Finn, Bob Kohl, Bob Mason, John Sand, Anita Sturtz, Debra Yeager, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes – Chris noted that a few people in town want copies of the FB minutes, and they can sign up with Dave Sturtz, Secretary (dave@nullsturtz.org).   They will not be published on the town website.

Exhaust System – Dave Steinmann reported on a vacuum system from Myers – hoses to attach to trucks and ventilate outside (full exchange of air in 5 minutes) – would cost $8640.  Leslie has a bid from AirVac, which would be $12,000 for 2 bays, and is awaiting a third bid from AirHoc (sp?).  When they get that they will evaluate all 3.  She added that, in addition to the gear, the fumes affect firefighters.  OSHA regs re: health and safety say the fumes coat the bunker gear with flammables and are not safe.

CSFS Grant – Ben reported that, thanks to Bob Bundy, they have received a small grant to spend on mitigation – probably west of the Gold Hill road next to Ron Lingeman’s.  They need a prescription from Ron Baer and then to hire a contractor.   It’s not much money, maybe $4,800, so cannot do a very big area.

Locker Room/Community Center – Leslie reported that at the GHTM, one suggestion was made to put lockers along a wall and leave the room open, but it would be too expensive – $328-399 per each and they need to be open – something like chain link fencing – to breathe, plus they would have to lock, so that’s not an option.  Other options suggested – kick out a dormer, add on to back, etc., were also judged too expensive and unworkable.

Bob Mason wondered about the bunker gear out-gassing fumes.  Chris suggested this could be taken care of with a simple bathroom exhaust fan.  He also said that some fumes are always in this room because it’s right above the trucks.

John Sand said that we should look not for the cheapest, but the best solution.  He wondered about the firefighters having to navigate the stairs in all weather in their gear and thought it would best on ground level – suggested that variances can be obtained and funds raised.

Leslie said they’ve been discussing this for 3 years and have to do something immediately because it’s about firefighter safety.  John replied that there is no issue with that – we all care about firefighter safety.  Maybe it could be a 2-step process: put up the wall now and look for a long-term solution to do it right.

There was quite a bit of discussion – how much room would it actually take upstairs, costs, possible volunteer labor (Dick Cole has offered to help), possibly adding on.  Leslie said there could be no possible addition because of setback issues.  However, there is already the staircase in the back, so it would seem we might be able to go out that far.  Gretchen added that the original building was built for around $5,000 with all kinds of townspeople scrounging for materials, donations of labor, etc.  Anita raised the safety issue re: firefighters on the stairs in snowy/icy/slipery conditions, navigating the icy driveway back to the stairs, plus the added response times.

Gretchen passed out a written report/history on the Firebarn/Community Center (see attached) and added that, for those of around long enough, we remember when the BVSD took quiet title to the school that the town had built and owned and where we used to meet and now it looks like the Fire Department is doing it again.  She supports the FD’s needs, but thinks there is a better solution than a locker room upstairs in the Community Center.

Dave Steinmann said that he understands the town issues, but the Chief is in charge of operations and the Board defers to him on this.  Dave Sturtz made a motion to support building a wall approximately 8 ft. out from the east wall, at the discretion of the Chief, and it passed.

John Sand, Bob Mason, and Gretchen agreed to form a committee to look into options for a good, long-term solution.

Addendum – Gretchen’s report to the Fire Board.

FIREBARN/COMMUNITY CENTER and the proposed LOCKER ROOM PROJECT

I have several ideas and some history on the subject of the Community Center and Firebarn.  As far as the history of the building, I’ve checked with many people who were involved in the early 70s (Don VanWie, Bob Mason, Ken Fernalld, Murray Eaton) and confirmed that almost every able-bodied person around helped build the building in 1972 with community labor and funds. According to one report I have, we managed to build this building for approximately $5,000.  This was before we became a Fire District, which I believe was 1976.  We sorted through bricks from discards at the old brickyard for the foundation, we salvaged materials from the old Central School that was being torn down, and studs and floor joists from the old icehouse in Rollinsville.  Luzie baked 100 loaves of bread and we held many fundraisers.  Frank Finn had a donation jar at the Inn and collected money from many of the customers.  Bob Gibson donated the floor from Flatiron Paving.  The clear intention was that the downstairs was for the Fire Department and the upstairs would be the Community Center for all kinds of uses for the town.   Michael Albes finished the upstairs for the Community Center in1978 with a CETA grant and another CETA grant paid John Rankin to make the hinges and doors for the barn downstairs.  Bob Dorsch, GHTM Chair, and Murray Eaton, Fire Chief, interviewed Michael for the job.   We needed a Community Center partly because the BVSD had taken quiet title to the school – it used to belong to the town – and it could no longer serve the CC function.  Don VanWie, who was Chief at the time and the driving force behind improving the Fire Department and building the building has said to me that the intent was always to build the downstairs for the Fire Department and the upstairs for the Community Center and that the Fire Department has a moral obligation to honor that intention.

In the beginning, we had a 99-year, $1.00, lease from Mrs. Ellen Regnier because she wasn’t certain about giving the land to what she was afraid was a bunch of hippies.  When she died, she willed the land to Dorothy Knapp  and Don VanWie to hold.  In 2002, Don and Martha Knapp deeded the land to the Fire Department.

I understand that there is a genuine concern on the part of the fire department regarding diesel fumes on our bunker gear.  Apparently, the bunker gear does not retain its fire resistant nature when exposed to diesel fumes.  The Fire Board voted to create a locker room upstairs to remove our gear from the danger of the fumes as the cheapest and easiest solution.   Lockers along the walls, I would think, would work fine, but walling off the space would seriously restrict other uses and we should be able to find a better solution. Think a curtain maybe.  Obviously, when there is a fire, the FD would take precedence for the whole space as needed.  Upstairs doesn’t seem like a great solution to me, however, thinking of the firefighters having to make the trek upstairs and then down again in all their gear, slowing the response time.  There might be other solutions to keep the fumes out of stuff downstairs, too.  Doors with good seals on the locker spaces and those rubber hose gizmos that fit on the exhaust pipes and take the fumes outside if a truck is running in the barn could help.  Anyway, I’m sure this is a problem we can all work to solve without walling off part of the Community Center.  We had to get setback variances to build the building and if we need to add on a few feet in some direction, I would expect we could get another variance.  The staircase and landing in back already extend out some few feet, so it might be possible to build onto the back of the barn and put a door through from the inside.

Secondly, as the community, we all pay for all the expenses of the FD, including the taxes, utilities, and pumping out the toilet, because it’s a tax district and we all pay taxes.   I really think it’s important to remember that we are all the community – the School and PTO, the Museum, the Town Meeting, Historic Zoning, and the Fire Department, etc., are all essential parts of the community.  We each participate in whatever our particular interest is at a given time, but we all make up the community.   We participate in the fundraisers for each group and they are all important to us.  It seems to me, after reading the legal opinion from Dick Lyons (Fire Department lawyer), that we need to work out a formal agreement for the Community Center that would also set up a process between the Town Meeting and the Fire Board to meet and work out any issues that arise on either side.  If it is agreed that the GHTM should pay a yearly lease, it seems like a reasonable option.  The GHTM does carry liability insurance for its use of the Community Center.

And, it also seems to me that it would be good to do a better job of communicating with one another so everyone knows what’s going on.    To that end, I think it would be great for a member of the Fire Board to either come to the Town Meetings, or perhaps submit a report or their minutes so that everyone is informed.   Val comes and tells us what’s going on with training, but not Board Meetings.  We all got the minutes of the FB when the decision was made to install the combination locks, but that’s the only time I remember FD minutes going out.  And at lease one member of the Town Council should attend Fire Board Meetings, too.  We’ve always tried to have someone give school reports, museum reports and FD reports at the Town Meeting (the Chief always used to come, way back) to keep everyone up on what’s happening – I really believe in the power of communication – that’s one reason why I’ve been so committed to the Town Newsletter.

Gretchen Diefenderfer

NEWS FOR THE NEWSLETTER

This town newsletter is always open for submissions from town members on items of general interest.