GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the June 10, 2013, Town Meeting 

Next Town Meeting is Monday, August 12, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center

ELECTIONS! 

The meeting was called to order by Bear Carlson, Vice-chair, in Amy’s absence.  Seven people attended: Member at Large Debra Yeager, Bobby Vrba, Michael Albes, Mishie Natalie Littlefield, Bear Carlson, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Adriana was not here, but Gretchen said the report is the same as last time.

Current Balances:

Fire Fund                        13331.03                        Cemetery Fund                        3795.21

General Fund                          3924.20                        Planning                                        82.00

Forest Mgmt                              75.22                        Weed Mgmt                                       526.70

Historic Zoning                  11.23                        Trails                                                     31.29

Safe Site                            170.22

Total  $21,947.10

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – Gretchen reports that Garry Sanfaçon came up for a Regional Mountain Trails Master Plan kickoff meeting on May 2.  For a complete report on this initiative or to give your input go to www.RegionalMountainTrails.com .             This potential project is in the initial information gathering stage and there will be many more opportunities for us to have input.  The opinions on county trails up here in this meeting ranged from positive to negative.

Historical Zoning –Bear reports that the Dave & Anita Sturtz want to do a small, 9×16, addition to the west side of their outbuilding.  They’ve met with HZ and gone over their rough plans.  Now they just need to get actual plans together.

Forest Management – Gretchen reports that Carolyn Ashley would like to see the wood from the last mitigation project disposed of.  Per Kris Gibson, the project was carried out according to plan and Caroline would need to organize any further work like a volunteer work party who could have the wood.

Fire Department – Gretchen reported on the May 16 Fire Board Meeting (full report here https://goldhilltown.com/ghfpd-board-meeting-9/). They are working on a lot of ideas for fixing up the Firebarn, putting in a dry hydrant in Lefthand, getting gear and pagers to the new firefighters, getting new wildland gear with a Wildland Grant, making one good brush truck from 2 old, mostly dead ones, getting red cards for the firefighters who qualify (Shivaun is handling), and getting their website up to date (goldhillfire.org).  They will work on 5, 10 year plans and setting up a class with their lawyer, Dick Lyons, on board protocols and duties, now that they have a stable, full board of 5 members.

Weed Management – Susan set up a weed identification opportunity on June 6 and she thought it went well.

Historic Gold Hill – 2013 calendars are still available and we’re working on the 2014 calendar.  Deb reported that the museum will be open on weekends through Labor Day.  There are all new displays this year and they’re worth seeing.

Mining – Gretchen reports that there is no apparent activity up at the mill.

School –  Mishie Littlefield from Sunshine is the new teacher at the School.  Mishie reports that she and Chrissy have met and they’re both very excited about working together.  Five kids graduated and the Inn hosted a wonderful dinner for them.  Third, fourth, and fifth graders took a great trip to the Royal Gorge.  The first and second graders raised ducks and chicks – the ducks went back to the farm and the kids got to keep the chicks!  Chrissy has been working on getting STEM grands – one to work with the Mountain Research Station.

Safe Site – Amy submitted a written report: The local Gold Hill emergency preparedness group held a spring meeting.  We are working on filling out a template for the town emergency preparedness plan.  We are also updating the equipment in the Safe Site shed to make sure we have what we need as well as order what we want.  Dave Sturtz is the liaison to the Fire Department.  Dave will help with the Mountain Emergency Radio Network (MERN).  We tested the propane-powered generator for MERN and everything works fine.  Call Amy at 303-442-3316 if you are interested in participating in the preparedness group.

OLD BUSINESS

            The Gold Hill cemetery signs are finished, installed, and look good!

Bear reports that he will be attending a Fire Board Meeting and is working on getting some dialog going regarding the town’s community center use.

Amy will be contacting the County Road Department about the study to measure speeds and traffic counts in order to hold a meeting to explore solutions to speeding in town.

NEW BUSINESS

            Town Clean-up is Saturday, June 15.

Bears – Gretchen reports that Martha encourages people to make sure their garbage and bird feeders aren’t attracting bears.  Several bears have been seen – cinnamon, black, Mom & baby.  Deb reports that pure ammonia is a good deterrent to bears.

4^th of July is all happening and Smokey the Bear will be there!

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary