Posted on: November 22nd, 2011

Minutes of the October 7, 2011 Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair John Sand as Chair Amy Hardy was out of town.  Thirteen people were present:  Dave Sturtz, Bobby Vrba, Member at Large Debra Yeager, Susan Fernalld, Mary Ryan, Karen Simmons, Edie Eilender, Richard Oxley, John & Cherry Sand, Kris Gibson, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer and Bear Carlson.

Minutes – of the August meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – was given by John in Treasurer Adriana Galue’s absence.  We have a total of $23,814.62 in our account.

Fire Fund    15,898.32    Cemetery Fund    3,562.21

General Fund    3,627.65    Planning           82.00

Forest Mgmt         75.22    Weed Mgmt         526.70

Historic Zoning         11.23    Trails             31.29

John reports that we had a successful bake sale, which brought in $2694.  Thank you to Deb for her creativity and organization. The Council members will look at our estimated town expenses for next year and will take any requests for funding from any town groups to bring to the December town meeting..

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – Karen reports that nothing is moving forward, but it’s always good to be alert to the County’s continuing declarations that there will be trails in the Gold Hill area open space, which is mentioned in the County CWPP.  We should meet and formulate our reactions to this. There is a 250-page document on the County Website that is very interesting – check at http://www.bouldercounty.org/live/environment/land/pages/lucwppmain.aspx

Historical Zoning – Cherry reports that Michelle Bar-Evan is excavating for a basement to stabilize the foundation. She obtained a matching grant from the County due to her house being landmarked.  She is also replacing front windows and door.

Boyd Brown has received permits for his workshop/garage north of the school on the SE corner of his property.

A new well is being dug on Miriam’s old property, which is now owned by a relative of Matt Legg’s.

Rick Sinner has completed his 120 sq. ft. shed.

Of present concern is the project at Don and Marie Brookhart’s.            They have enclosed the existing porch on the cabin behind their house reportedly thinking, that since it would be less than 120 sq. ft., it would not require a building permit from the County.  Historic Zoning received no plans on the project. Apparently the County recognizes the property as having historic significance and therefore it needs a permit. On Sept. 28, however, a stop work order was issued (it was not turned in by HZ), so now Don is getting plans together to submit to the Building Department. A public hearing will be held on Dec. 1st by the County Historic Preservation Advisory Board to determine what action to take.

Historical Zoning’s position is that their purpose is to keep Gold Hill looking like Gold Hill and for people to be comfortable in their homes.  Because of the fire, the County seems to be more strict regarding fire resistant building materials, etc.  HZ is an advisory committee and they recommend calling them first – they can help you navigate the County regs.  Even most external repairs are supposed to have a permit.

John reports that he and Bear have committed to reviewing the guidelines and will run them by Denise Grimm at the County to make sure they fit with the County regs.  They try to maintain a close working relationship with her to keep up on the latest requirements.

Forest Management – Edie reports that there are no projects going on right now.  She reminded people in this winter season to be careful with ashes.  Gretchen added a reminder to clean your chimneys and stovepipes.  Kris suggested that our Fire Chief and Assistant Chief are available to help evaluate your wood burning stoves for safety.

Fire Department – Gretchen reported that the Fire Department will be collecting some $14,000 less in 2013 taxes because of the decreased valuation due to the fire.   Her taxes have gone down and her plan is to donate the difference in the Fire District’s portion of the taxes (which is 10.5% of the entire tax bill) between what was paid last year and what will be in next year’s taxes.  If everyone who could afford it would do that the Fire Department would not suffer such a shortfall in the budget.

Dave Sturtz added that, at the Board Meeting, they discussed what should be done in the long run to raise additional money – more fund raisers, buy less, or increase taxes eventually, but the Chief would oppose this as a business owner.  The Board is interested in what the town would think.

Karen wondered about the Fire Fund in the GHTM – what about allocating some of that?  John said that we would want a request from the GHFPD.  Dave Sturtz replied that the Fire Board would gladly accept any donation.  Kris said that we would love to see a prioritized list of needs.  She & Bear submitted a grant request for $102,000 to FEMA for SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), but have not heard back yet.

Dave also encouraged people to come to trainings – they’ve been good.

CWPP – Kris reported that the County CWPP process has been going on for more than a year and has been reviewed and approved.  It’s a living document, which made 10 or 12 recommendations – one of which is the Forest Improvement District, Resolution 2011-94 to be voted on in November.  If approved, it establishes a committee to help implement forest health and other issues, fuels reduction/wildfire mitigation on a countywide basis.  She believes the County CWPP could help the County access state and federal grants and also help County property owners with their own mitigation.   There is no funding attached to the ballot issue at this point.  Kris encourages everyone to read the County CWPP on the website – especially Chapter 15 (again, see http://www.bouldercounty.org/live/environment/land/pages/lucwppmain.aspx

John added that there is good information in the voters’ guide in the Camera.

Weed Management – Susan reports that only 4 people took advantage of the free chipping last Saturday 10/8 – probably because of the short notice we got from the County.  However, there is another opportunity for free chipping relatively near us on Oct. 22 down in Lefthand Canyon.  Call Ashley Garrison at 720-564-2673 or email Agarrison@nullbouldercounty.org.

Also, regarding the County chipping grant and the supplemental grant from the GHTM to partially reimburse people for chipping: Later this month, I will submit invoices of 18 households and request reimbursement for up to 70% for their qualifying chipping expenses for 2011.  The total incurred is $20K, however the total grant amounts participants will share is just $7K ($4K from the County and $3K from the GHTM).  The County reimburses 40% for up to $10K in expenses and the town voted to reimburse another 30% of up to $10K as incentives.  These projects make us all safer and help the forest.

Karen Simmons thanked Susan for helping spray Canadian Thistle on her property.

Historic Gold Hill – Edie reports that the Museum is officially closed for the winter (there is no heat), but would open for special occasions.  Joan Few has finished the archiving with the help of Heather Hilson, who now wants to go into archeology.  The Museum is doing well – thanks to everyone for the support.

For calendars, see Marilyn Soby, the Gold Hill Store, or the Inn.

Mining – Gretchen reports that Aurora Gold had pulled out of the Mill and mine – no information about what’s next.

OLD BUSINESS

Gold Hill Bake and Rummage Sale – Deb reports that everyone really enjoyed using the Beer Garden at the Inn and Brian Finn thought it was great, too.  The Atkinsons, Kai, and Bear provided wonderful music.  The baked goods, coffee, beer, and ice cream were great.  There is some feeling that maybe we should do brats or something like that rather than pasties, which are really labor intensive.  They are considering maybe charging a little more for the crafts and not asking them to donate something for the silent auction – that didn’t work too well.  She loved working with all the people.  Might suggest that people leave their dogs at home next year.

NEW BUSINESS

Quilts – Deb reported that a group of us made a couple of quilts this summer.  One was given to the Walkers and the second was raffled off, which Jo Cole handled wonderfully.  The raffle raised $1,100, which was given to the Walkers, who were amazed and delighted. (We also had another beautiful quilt donated, made by a group in Boulder, but it hasn’t been decided exactly what to do with that – raffle it, silent auction?)

It was mentioned to Mike that our space up here is now restricted due to the expansion by the Fire Department and he has offered up his Barn or the Lodge for our use for events like the Christmas Party (usually the Sunday before Christmas).  Addendum – However, Deb checked with them on the date and it turns out that there is a complication and it will not work out for this year.  Any other ideas?

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

10-5-11 – Message from Amy Hardy:  I have continued to attend the Mountain Mayor’s meetings.  We had a meeting two weeks ago and Allen Bishop from Boulder County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (BCARES) came to the meeting to talk about using HAM radios as a method of communication in the case of an emergency in the mountains.  Allen and BCARES played a very valuable role during the Fourmile Canyon Fire and he has been working with the Sheriff’s Dept. as well as local fire chiefs.  There are plans to install an antenna on the Gold Hill fire barn as well as in Ward.  There is already one in Nederland and they are looking at installing one in Jamestown as well.  The intention is to create a Mountain Emergency Radio Network that will enable the small mountain towns west of Boulder to continue to communicate with authorities as well as one another in the case that mainstream communications fail. The goal of MERN is to provide clear information during an emergency and eliminate the rumor mill.  BCARES is workings in conjunction with local fire departments and Foothills United Way to provide the radios and training for any local that wishes to learn the HAM radio system.  This training will provide the individual with a federal certification in HAM radio operation.  These trainings are from 9am to 3pm on October 22^nd at the Nederland Community Center and October 29^th from 9am to 3pm at the Gold Hill fire barn.  Following these training dates will be test dates for the federal exam.  Please contact Amy Hardy at ahardy105@nullyahoo.com if you have any questions.