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Job Opening for Clinic Mountain Clinics Manager

Good afternoon!

The Clinic Operations Manager position for the new Clinica mountain clinics has been posted. This is a public facing position and leadership has described this person as the “face of the mountain clinics”

Here is the link: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/CLI1001CCFHS/JobBoard/24c237ae-d249-4f95-a6b6-4c04e35b0855/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=55bc4efd-478b-441c-bba7-7c81b2ac0661

 

  Colleen Sinclair she/her, they/them | Mountain Resource Specialist

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging | Community Services Department

720-616-9109 (cell) | Resource Line: 303-441-1617

Resources: BoulderCountyHelp.org | Sign up: Age Well Newsletter | Facebook

 ” 

The Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance is a gathering of representatives of human services organizations serving the Peak to Peak area of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, coming together to identify needs, expand and enhance services to the residents of the Peak to Peak community, and promote inter-agency communication.
 
https://www.p2phhs.org/

UCA Consumer Advisory: Winter Heating Safety Tips

Forwarded from Chief Finn

From: DORA Colorado <DORA.Colorado@nullpublic.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 3:35 PM
Subject: UCA Consumer Advisory: Winter Heating Safety Tips

 

 

 

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT

Jill Sarmo
P:  303-204-1766
jillian.sarmo@nullstate.co.us
www.dora.colorado.gov
 
 
 
Consumer advisory: Winter heating safety tips from the

Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate

DENVER – In winter, people use various ways to keep their homes warm. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in U.S. homes and nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA) is offering Coloradans these safety tips when using furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces, to heat their homes.  

Furnace Safety and Maintenance 

When outdoor temperatures plummet, many of us depend on a gas furnace to provide our home with warmth and comfort. However there are risks to consider such as a fire and/or carbon monoxide exposure. If you have a gas furnace, you must: 

  • Have your furnace professionally cleaned and inspected before each heating season.  
  • Keep the area around your furnace clean of debris, lint, and dust. Do not store any items such as papers, clothes, paint, rags, etc. near the furnace. 
  • Do not store anything flammable or combustible nearby.  
  • Clean or replace your furnace filters every 1 to 3 months during the winter to reduce energy costs and improve the air quality in your home. 

Electric Space Heater Safety 

Safety must be your top priority when using electric space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths. In addition, an estimated 6,000 people receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting the hot surfaces of space heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.

When buying and operating a space heater, follow these guidelines: 

  • Purchase only newer model electric space heaters that have all the current safety features such as a tip over safety switch, overheat protection, and an adjustable thermostat to help save energy. 
  • Always place the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. 
  • Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater. Keep at a minimum a three-foot “kid-free zone” around all heaters. 
  • Do not use an extension cord or power strip. Plug the heater into a wall outlet only. 
  • Never leave space heaters unattended while operating and always turn the heater off or unplug it when exiting the room.  
  • Never leave the space heater on overnight. 

Fireplace Safety and Maintenance 

While a wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and comfort to a home during the colder months, safety must be top of mind. Here are some tips on how to operate and maintain a fireplace. 

  • The National Fire Protection Association recommends chimneys be swept at least once a year, at the beginning of winter, to remove soot and debris by a chimney specialist. 
  • Be sure the flue is open before lighting your fire to help ensure the fireplace will vent properly. Do not close your damper until you are sure the fire is out. 
  • When starting a fire, only use a match or gas lighter.  
  • Never use flammable liquids to start a fire. They can produce toxic chemicals that can enter your living space. 
  • Metal mesh screens should remain closed whenever your fireplace is in use to help keep embers in the fireplace. 
  • Only use dry wood in your fireplace. Wet wood can increase creosote buildup, which can lead to chimney fires. 
  • Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, you should make certain to fully extinguish the fire. 
  • Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them — ashes can take several days to cool completely. Never empty ashes directly into a trash can. Instead, place ashes in a covered metal container located at least 10 feet away from your home and any other building.  

Other Winter Heating Safety Tips 

  • Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home. 
  • Use carbon monoxide detectors. Since carbon monoxide can be produced by a number of fuel-burning devices, it’s important to have carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home. This will ensure every person in the home can hear and be alerted to the emergency. 
  • Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly, and after you change the batteries to ensure they work properly. 

The UCA has also put together a helpful infographic that details the safety tips.

###

About UCA:

The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate, a division within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), represents residential, small business, and agricultural utility consumers as a class in electric and natural gas proceedings before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The UCA does not regulate; it advises and advocates on behalf of consumers. The UCA helps consumers by lowering or eliminating proposed utility rate increases and by ensuring that utility rates, regulations and policies are more equitable for residential, small business, and agricultural consumers.

About DORA:

DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit https://dora.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7855/toll free 1-800-886-7675 outside of Denver.
Subscriber Services:

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Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

This email was sent to cfinn@nullcenturylink.net using GovDelivery Communications Cloud, on behalf of: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies · 1560 Broadway, Suite 110 · Denver, CO 80202  

GHFPD Board Meeting 1-18-22 Zoom

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

AND PENSION BOARD AGENDAS

January 18, 2022, 7:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89163677068?pwd=MXFqN1o0Z1B5UmlwdEw5L0pJcEdBUT09

CALL TO ORDER

ATTENDANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES  

SUMMARY FOR 2021

CALLS:   COMPARISON 2020 – 2021

Type of call

Initial response

Number of volunteers who arrived.

Who took command and transfer (if any)?

Equipment used.

Other Departments who arrived.

Lessons learned.

TRAINING:   NEW LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

                      Training team members

                      Past training

                      Upcoming training

         New volunteers MAINTENANCE: 
         Vehicles 

                     Equipment

EQUIPMENT: 

                     Inventory

                     Condition

OTHER BUSINESS 

 

Forest Projects:   Maya

Mill Levy Increase of 16.00 mills from 6.64 for total of 22.64:

  • Timetable and deadlines
    • Language this month
    • March Certification
    • April Ballots Mail
    • May Special Election

Exemption from Audit.  2020 adoption signatures, 2021 to be signed in                         February:   Jessica

Bookkeeper:  Need to advertise and hire part time bookkeeper.

Website:  Discussion on how we can delegate/hire someone to maintain the website.

Adjourn as FPD, reconvene at Pension Board.

PENSION BOARD

CALL TO ORDER

ATTENDANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Pension Board replacement for Kris Gibson.

Pension Board Chair:  Discussion.

GHTM Minutes 12-13-21

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the Monday, December 13, 2021 Town Meeting by Zoom

Next Town Meeting will be Monday, February 14, 7:00 P.M. by Zoom

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Emma Dirolf.  Forty-five people attended by Zoom (let me know if I missed anyone): Emma, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Torkin Wakefield and Charles Steinberg, Joanne and Dick Cole, Chrissy and Member at Large Dan Maedke, Boyd Brown and Johanna Gangemi, Rebecca and Janos Wilder, Michael Wollard, Treasurer Jay Clark,  Breida and Rick Geesaman, Steffi Wilson, Howard Lambert, Leslie and Chris Finn, Dina and Mark Elder, Debra Yeager, Adwoa Lemieux, Maggie Simms and David Brigham, Martha Knapp, Rich Lopez, Val Crist, Vice Chair Sarah O’Brien and Sam Bennett, Marcus Moench and Elisabeth Caspari, Greg Buis, Bear Carlson and Poppy Copeland, Kathleen Mereau and Jamshid Drakhti. Jessica Brookhart and Todd Swift, Emily Rose, Cat Russell, Pam and Steve Sherman, Karen Simmons.

Minutes – As there were no corrections or additions to the Minutes of the October 11 Meeting, they were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Jay submitted the following report

900 Pine as Community Center – Emma suggested that we have a half hour cap on discussion before bringing the issue to a vote.  Janos asked about the proposed motion.  Gretchen replied that a motion needs to be made– something like the GHTM supports moving forward on the acquisition of the 900 Pine building for a Community Center and planning for how to do this – before opening discussion.  Leslie made a motion to postpone any decision on 900 Pine .  She stated that no committee had been established or report issued and we did not have enough information.  Martha seconded.  Gretchen reported that the Friends of Gold Hill Community Center aren’t prepared to postpone the decision. – it’s been a year now and if there is no yes vote to proceed, the FOGH will move on to sell to someone committed to Gold Hill.  Also, a GHTM Committee was established, sent out a wide ranging survey to get the town’s opinions, and it was reported and is on the town website. (https://goldhilltown.com/community-center-survey-results/).

            Torkin reported that she had worked on a draft budget with several other community members.

Draft Budget for Pine Street House to Become a Community Center

Phase 1:   Purchase and Upgrades

There would be a one year time frame given by current owner, Friends of  Gold Hill

Sale Price:                 $260,000

Repairs

            Roof,           $12,300
            Septic           30,000 – $35,000  
            Electrical      20,000
            Renovations 10,000 – 15,000  (this is a guess and will have to include bringing the building to                                                  code regulations  This does not include any extensive  remodeling.                                      

Total:  $332,000 – 342,000

Discussion: How would we raise this money?   Who would be in charge?  A volunteer, a committee, the mayor?

What sources of money have we identified?

Phase 2:  Yearly expenses

Insurance               1,200   (because this is a public space the insurance could be a lot more)
Taxes                  1,181
Upkeep, repairs       500    (this is a guess and may be too low for an old house)
Heat                         500    (this is a guess)
Electricity             300    (this is a guess)
Admin/cleaning    2,400     (I know that someone will have to the scheduling, cleaning, keeping the key, etc  This is $200/month)

Supplies              120       Based on $10/month- would include things like toilet paper, soap,                                            light bulbs, etc

Unexpected               ?

Total :             $ 6241 

This comes to a little over $500 per month with no unexpected expenditures

One time costs: (no numbers guessed)

 Furnishings:  $ ?  (some donations are possible and some items will probably have to be purchased)

Safety :    $ ?   (locks, fire extinguishers, signage, fire and ozone detectors, regulations to meet, etc)

Income:

 How will we  raise in excess of $6000 per year?

Ideas:

              Hold an Annual fundraising event similar to the one the museum holds. 

  • Write Grants – possibilities for this with the community foundation, the county and the state. Other local private foundations. 
  • Charge a Facility fee for trainings, classes, work space use, and other events 
  • Request Donations associated with activities such as the recent Columbia giveaway 

 

Have we identified any funds that might be available for this project?

What are the consequences if we cannot raise the money?

 

This generated a great deal of discussion about fundraising, who would take responsibility, what happens if the town can’t manage raising the funds needed.  Marcus stated that the FOGH’s intent was to buy the property and if the vote of the town (after this last year to consider which way to go) was to proceed, the plan was to give the GHTM another year to complete plans to acquire it.  If it didn’t succeed, the town would be released from the intent to buy and would have to decide what to do with any funds raised.

Janos thanked Torkin for the draft budget and her effort to drill down on the facts.  He wondered about the Fire Board and possible new structure plans.  He added that he admired the super well intentioned citizens willing to invest in this possibility for the town, but also thinks it’s shortsighted to try to make a good decision without enough information.

Regarding the Fire Department, Boyd reported that the Board has agreed that they would work with the town to come up with a  future combined structure for the Fire Department and the town..  For 900 Pine, as soon as it became a public space, he expects ADA access, sprinklers, water and septic up to code and other expenses would be required – we would have to deal with the County.

At this point, Martha called “point to order” and Adwoa seconded – to call for a vote.  After some discussion,  a vote of 18 to 22 voted to continue the discussion.

Chrissy expressed concern about fundraising, pointing out that our one yearly rummage/bake sale won’t begin to cut it and is already a tremendous amount of work.  The school raises $9-15,000 per year.  She loves the idea of the Community Center, but it sounds like a lot of money.  Emma is also concerned about who’s going to move it along.  Marcus added that it would certainly depend on a strong commitment to raise individual donations, work on grants, manage fundraising. The GHTM would need to form a committee, but if the community is highly divided, it all becomes more difficult.  Sources become a lot easier if there is strong support. Another real issue is finding a group to spearhead the effort.  Bear suggested the FOGH, but Marcus felt it would be a conflict of interest, although we could be involved and would help., but not spearhead it.  Most of the FOGH plan to abstain from the vote and follow the lead of the majority. 

Joanne asked if we can vote yes or no on the Community Center rather than the motion voting to table the idea.  Virginia also preferred to vote yes or no on going forward or not.  After some more discussion, Leslie agreed to rescind her motion to table the vote, Martha (as the seconder) agreed.  Joanne made a motion that we vote yes to pursue moving forward on 900 Pine as a Community space, or no, not to move forward.  Martha requested a roll call vote, which generated a lot of discussion pro and con on taking a public vote.

Chrissy wondered about collaborating with the Fire Department on a community space.  Rich Lopez reported that on December 1 the entire board reviewed a statement that went out to the

town.

Gold Hill Fire Protection District 1011 Main – Gold Hill EIN 841110317
Boulder, CO 80302

December 1, 2021

At the conclusion of the last board meeting, it was suggested that the Gold Hill Fire Protection District Board (Board) issue its position on the upcoming vote on locating a community center at 900 Pine Street. While each board member may have a personal position and is free to vote as they wish, the Gold Hill Fire Protection District (District) states as follows:

  • Our primary goal is to respond to fire, health and accident emergencies in our district and to assist other fire protection districts when possible.
  • The District is the smallest fire protection district in Boulder County, in terms of population served (185 homes), budget ($75,318 in 2021) and volunteers (23).
  • Our current fire barn was constructed by the residents of Gold Hill in the 1970’s.

The Board has reviewed the 2021 Gold Hill Community Space Survey Results and acknowledges that 77.3% of the respondents indicated that Gold Hill needs a community space. With regards to 900 Pine Street being an appropriate location, the respondents were evenly divided. Finally, the Fire Barn was identified as an appropriate location by 75.6% of the respondents.

The Board has embarked on a process to place a mill levy increase for the District at a future election. The amount of the increase has not yet been determined. The needs of our District are significant. The wood constructed Fire Barn itself is outdated, non-compliant with ADA standards, has no readily accessible bathroom and is too small to house all our firefighting equipment. A new station is needed. This presents an opportunity for cooperation with the Town Meeting.

Planning, funding and construction of a new Fire Barn with a Community Center will take years to accomplish. The Town Meeting could decide to purchase 900 Pine as an interim Community Center, while the District pursues an increased mill levy and other grants. The District will continue to work with the Town Meeting to incorporate its needs in any future Fire Barn/Community Center design.

Chrissy asked how important would it be for the town to have collateral for the Community Center piece.  Rich said that it is critical to have cooperation between the town and fire department.  A member of the Lefthand Board came to the GHFPD board meeting and stressed that cooperation with the community is critical, particularly for DOLA (Colorado Department of Local Affairs) funding, which requires matching funds, and which represented around 1/3 of the funding for their LH new station.  As far as timing, they aren’t ready to begin planning.  Our mill levy is so low, we can’t really afford to buy anything.  He added, should you buy 900 Pine? Great, but it’s up to the community to decide.

            There was more discussion, with several points being reiterated:  the need for strong support from the community, a committee to spearhead the effort, the County requirements that would need to be met to provide a safe facility for public use.   

            Steffi thanked the Friends of Gold Hill group for thinking outside the box and trying to do something new and different to benefit the community; it takes guts to try something new. Thank you also to the community members who volunteered their time and effort on the GHTM 900 Pine Street committee, putting together the survey, etc.

At this point, it was decided to take our vote to move forward or not.  It was agreed that we could vote on Zoom one by one as our names were called.  If we did not want to vote publicly, we could vote anonymously by directing our Zoom chat to Emma who would count the votes.   

            Dan added that the need for a Community Center has come up over and over since he’s been here and at least we know what it would take – we need the right people at the right time.  Boyd expressed support for a community center.  Jay added appreciation for the efforts made to progress and the great discussion started.  Jess said that it’s good that the conversation has been accelerated and she stressed that the entire effort was always for positivity.  Chris Finn added that, just so we know, the community center at the firebarn is still there,  just contact him to use it.

The vote was YES: 3 and NO: 31, with several abstentions.   Janos expressed thanks to everyone and thanks to Emma for conducting this meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mountain Stewards – Virginia reports that all kinds of exciting things are happening.  Marcus and Cat are meeting with people from the city of Denver about bulk battery purchasing for solar to lower our prices.  Also, they’re looking into some funding through a non-profit.  They’ve been working on a Climate Action Map involving resiliency, soil health, and fire mitigation and will have more on that in February.  On  Fire Mitigation forester visits, 10 are done and they have more to go.  People have been doing some really great things.  On the North side of town – what can we do to contribute more? – caullking, flashing, decks, and who can we hire to help.  There is real momentum and potential funding.  Water harvesting – three installations are complete at Emma’s, Jay’s and Mari’s with a $4,000 grant from the Community Foundation.  A total of 7 are to be installed including 4 more in the spring.  There will be tours to see them.

            The slash dumpsters came and what a lot of stuff we got rid of!  Marcus also hired some people to help with wood lumber and wood piles to get rid of them.  They’re looking at ideas regarding fire retardant,, ember dampening paint, and goats for grazing.  If you’re interested, contact Virginia, Marcus or Cat and come to their meetings.

Forestry/Mitigation Progress – no report right now

Gold Hill School – There will not be a Fall Fiesta, but the PTO is planning online fundraising.  Also, their Office Manager, Eli, is leaving in January and they are looking for someone. This  is a full-time position and offers benefits.

Museum – Deb reports that the Museum is closed for the season and they did make some money.  Thank you for supporting the boutique.

Community Planning and Fundraising – Dan reports everything is at a stalemate right now.  He would still like to step down and is looking for someone to replace him as Member at Large.

Cemetery – no report

SafeLink/NeighborLink/Emergency Response – Deb reports no action right now, but given our climate issues, everyone should be as prepared as possible.

AirLink – Dina said there is not a lot to report.  Someone is pinging our repeater and we’re trying to figure out where it is coming from.  They’ve been doing a lot of maintenance and repair work.  Jess asked if there is a minimum age to get ham certification and Dina thinks 12.  Chrissy was working with George Weber before COVID on a class for kids and will move on that as soon as possible. Chris reports that the fire department will be retiring old radios and will save them for the town and AirLink.

Historic Zoning – Bear reports that Greg Buis at 1101 Pine is proposing solar roof panels which have been approved. Solar panels are not really historic, but HZ fully supports  roof mounted and parallel panels.

Fire Department – Chris expressed big congratulations to Max Mazurkiewicz who has graduated from the Fire Academy and is planning to pursue his EMT in the spring – thank you!  Training will be ramping up, and trucks will be driving around.

OTHER TOWN NEWS

Speed Study – Emma reports that Boulder County Transportation provided the following update: “The draft report is nearly done and [it will be sent out] internally to get concurrence probably early next week. After it has been reviewed, [they will] pass it along to [us]. [They have] also been working on finishing [the] speed management plan and should hopefully be ready for the next steps of the process around the beginning of the year.”

Opportunity to end dispersed shooting on NFS lands – Virginia reports that this is a MoveOn.org petition and sort of sounds contradictory, but in order to close sport shooting in the NSF, we need to support a shooting range for people to go or they will keep shooting all over the mountains.  It will also help to write to our County Commissioners directly. 

http://sign.moveon.org/petitions/fully-fund-the-boulder-rifle-club-expansion?source=rawlink&utm_source=rawlink&share=24f3aa2f-d9c4-48f2-a821-36d7cd6b1d8c

 

Respectfully Submitted,  Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

Margaret “Lin” Folsom, May 22, 1935 – November 8, 2021

Margaret “Lin” Folsom, our friend and former Gold Hill neighbor, died on November 8, 2021 in Anacortes, WA, with loving family by her side.  She was an irrepressible adventurer all her life with a wonderful, insightful sense of humor, and will be missed by all who knew her.  Click the link below for her obituary.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailycamera/obituary-search.aspx?daterange=180&firstname=Margaret&lastname=Folsom&countryid=1&stateid=8&affiliateid=3241

Free COVID-19 test kits

t
The State of Colorado will send every household two free covid test kits.  Each kit contains two tests.  Results are within 15 minutes.
To apply:
https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-testing-at-home

Lickskillet

Lick Skillet is a treacherous road in the winter. From the bottom of the Skillet it can appear passable and the view at Pine/Lick Skillet and then Main St./Lick Skillet again seemingly passable. Once you start down or up you have no options and you as well as others are impacted and quite possibly seriously endangered. Three cars stuck over on Christmas day blocking travel with one of the abandoned cars actually sliding without a driver from well above the hairpin coming to rest below on the flatter portion.  And this with only dustings over a couple of days. The freeze and thaw and freeze is unpredictable and best just to stay off the road in the winter. 
Kris Gibson

Solstice celebration tonight!

Solstice celebration tonight! 5:00 p.m. outside on Gold Run Street Posted in Community Digest | Comments Off on Solstice celebration tonight!

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Gold Hill School Fundraiser

Holiday Greeting Friends, Families, and Supporters of Gold Hill School!

Just last month, we should have been serving you tacos at the Gold Hill Inn as part of our annual Fall Fiesta. In our second year without this important community event, we can truly say we are missing you and the opportunity to see you all in person. 

We’ll be honest here. These past 18 months have been challenging for the kids, the parents, and the teachers alike. From last-minute homeschooling to hybrid learning to sudden quarantines, “rhythm” is a word that was only ever spoken over Google Meet during music class. It’s been tough.

However, despite the roller-coaster ride of COVID, the fun and educational activities have continued at the best mountain school around. The kids have performed plays outdoors, created phenomenal pieces of art, and even built a town complete with businesses they created as one of their “real-life” lessons. Perhaps the most important real-life lesson they have learned is RESILIENCE. We are proud of how they have done through it all, and we hope you are too.

As you may have noticed, we suspended our fundraising last year due to the financial challenges we knew many people were facing as a result of COVID-19. And this year, we felt it would not be fair to ask our community to gather for an indoor Fall Fiesta. However, the activities that make our little school so unique still require money out of our PTO budget. 

We have been fortunate to have extra support from the district during COVID to pay for our wonderful – and critical – paraprofessional, but we can’t count on that in future years. The kids also need a new stage for the annual plays, as the old one was unsafe and has been discarded. PTO funds also support reading programs, special events like the CU Shakespeare performance, and, believe it or not, buying toilet paper for the school. 

As we sit here perched between the Season of Thankfulness and the Season of Giving, we’d like to ask you what the Gold Hill School has meant to you. Were you a student, who learned stream ecology by flyfishing or had your first chance to stand tall on that stage during a school play? Are you a parent seeing that spark for learning in your child’s eye? Or are you a member of our community who smiles when you think “wow – schools like this still exist, against all odds?”

We hope you will join us in supporting this school that has touched your life in some way. Our goal is to raise $8,000 this year to ensure that we can give these kids the rich social and educational experience they deserve. Please consider what you might be able to give, and share this email with others who value multi-age, small school education. Tax-deductible donations can be made on our website at https://goldhillpto.wixsite.com/website.

Checks can be made out to Mountain Meddlers and sent to Gold Hill School, Attn: Mountain Meddlers, 890 Main Street, Boulder, CO 80302. 

Thank you in advance, and Happy Holidays!

The PTO and Proud Parents of Gold Hill School 

Gold Hill School / Mountain Meddlers PTO 501c(3) Tax ID Number #20-3169406 

Wildfire Partners’ Hot Tips for Cold Months

 
Wildfire Partners · PO Box 471 · Boulder · Colorado · 80306
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Gold Hill School Job Opening

Dear Gold Hill Community,

After three and a half years of service, the Gold Hill School’s Office Manager, Eli, will be leaving the school come mid-January.  She’s sad to leave, and we’re sorry to see her go, but life throws you curveballs sometimes and we all must march on.  Eli needs to take care of her world and we… need a new team member!  So, who’s it going to be?  Maybe you?  Maybe you know someone who would be perfect to join us?  

The job posted today on the BVSD Careers website (jobs.bvsd.org) .  You can find it here: https://jobs.bvsd.org/office-professional-mountain-school-office-manager/job/18155728

The posting will be up for 2 weeks, through Dec. 30th.  We’re hoping to interview and hire the first week of January.  

The pay is hourly, with a rate dependent on education and experience.  Full benefits.  As you’ll see, the job is actually several different jobs pasted together, each with their own pay rate.   The job is currently 40 hours/week (school hours), but may be a bit less next year.  If you have questions about the position, please feel free to reach out to Jojo Morrison (Johanna.morrison@nullbvsd.org) or myself (Christine.maedke@nullbvsd.org).  

Below is an excerpt from the job posting:

Job Description

    • OFFICE PROFESSIONAL – MOUNTAIN SCHOOL OFFICE MANAGER JOBID: 61408 

Hourly Pay Rates
Mountain School Office Manager (.514 FTE): $19.77 – $29.53
Intensive Paraeducator (.20 FTE): $18.24 – $26.45
Instructional Paraeducator (.086 FTE): $15.00 – $21.75
Healthroom Paraeducator (.20 FTE): $16.24 – $23.55

Responsibilities:

Office Manager
– Provide and coordinate clerical support activities for the principal and teachers
-Manage employee time and attendance, substitute coordination, and professional leave
-Serve as resource person and liaison between administrators and faculty, staff, students and the public
-Manage facility oversight, monitor school budget, expenditures and student activity funds
-Manage technology needs of the building
-Support teachers with state testing as needed
-Supervise building security, crisis plans, safety drills, and volunteer background checks
-Prepare and serve snack and lunch to students
-Act as a substitute for teachers in emergency situations (sub license required upon hire)

Paraeducator – Intensive
–Provide support to special education students
-Assist students by adapting work, monitoring and enforcing social and acceptable behavior, implementing health care plans, academic support, etc. 
-Follow behavior support plans, both proactive supports and crisis management, including appropriate use of CPI and maintaining student confidentiality
-Assist case manager/teacher with progress monitoring and data collection
-Provide personal care to students requiring hygiene issues as needed

Paraeducator – Instructional
-Assist teacher(s) in preparing materials; laminating, copying, filing, etc. 
-Assist with curriculum instructional delivery to both individual and small groups
-Supervise and monitor students during playground, lunchroom, field trips, classroom activities, etc.
-Cover classroom for short periods (up to 30 minutes) when the teacher is called out of the classroom for staff meetings or other reasons
-Create an environment where students feel emotionally safe at school.

Paraeducator – Healthroom
-Manage the health room
-Maintaining health records, allergies, immunizations and care logs
-Care for students, communicate with parents, coordinate health screenings, support ERT
-Maintaining certification of First Aid/CPR/AED and medication delegation
-Manage nuisance disease control (head lice, ringworm, and impetigo) according to protocol
-Up hold all needed medical certification, i.e. First Aid, CPR, Universal Precautions, AED, Mental Health first Aid, etc.

Qualifications:
Required:
-High School Diploma or equivalent
-Communicate (read, write, and speak) in English, must pass the English component of interview process
-Ability to perform physical labor, including lifting of up to 50 pounds
-CPI, CPR, and First Aid certifications within 30 days after hire
-Completed and submitted BVSD online application 

Preferred
-Three years of progressively responsible secretarial/clerical experience
-Knowledge of district policies and procedures
-Knowledge of office practices as well as functioning as an office manager
-Ability to make decisions in accordance with rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
-Intermediate to advanced computer knowledge and experience, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Google
-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function under pressure in a pleasant and personable manner
-Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks with frequent interruptions
-Positive communication, interaction and work experience with diverse individuals
-Experience in working with children
-Positive communication, interaction and work experience with diverse people
-Basic bilingual skills

Thank you for your help!!!

Christine Maedke

3-4-5 Teacher

Boulder Valley School District

Gold Hill School

890 Main St.

Boulder, CO 80302

School: 720-561-5940

Classroom: 720-561-6015

Personal Cell: 303-668-6809

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Meal train link for Mike and Kelly

Welcome to the world, baby girl August! Mike & Kelly welcomed baby Gus (short for August) at 7:15pm on Monday, December 13th. We would love to support Mike and Kelly through the first few weeks of parenthood with lots of delicious meals when they get back to Gold Hill, to help them acclimate to their new full time job!

 
Meal train link for Mike and Kelly this We want to make sure people can sign up for the Meal Train if they are able to participate. If the above link doesn’t work, you can use this one: https://mealtrain.com/lqo63d
Thanks,
Jenna & Sarah

Agenda GHTM 12-13-21

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. December 12th, 2021

____________________________________________________________________________

Zoom Virtual Meeting

 

Topic: Gold Hill Town Meeting

Time: Dec 13, 2021 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

 

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 894 4769 8343

Passcode: 305773

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____________________________________________________________

 

Review of Previous Minutes (additions or corrections)

Treasurer’s Report

Vote: 900 Pine as Community Center

Comments and Input

Vote

Committee Reports

Mountain Stewards 

Forestry and Forest Management

Gold Hill School

IMA

Museum 

Community Planning and Fundraising 

Cemetery

Community Center

 

SafeLink/NeighborLink 

Emergency Preparedness/Communications

 

AirLink 

Weed Management

Historical Zoning

Fire Department

Other Town News: 

 

Speed Study Update

 

Boulder County Transportation provided the following update: “The draft report is nearly done and [it will be sent out] internally to get concurrence probably early next week. After it has been reviewed, [they will] pass it along to [us]. [They have] also been working on finishing [the] speed management plan and should hopefully be ready for the next steps of the process around the beginning of the year.”

 

Community Concerns 

 

 Opportunity to end dispersed shooting on NFS lands:

http://sign.moveon.org/petitions/fully-fund-the-boulder-rifle-club-expansion?source=rawlink&utm_source=rawlink&share=24f3aa2f-d9c4-48f2-a821-36d7cd6b1d8c

 

Upcoming Meetings/Event

 

Wildfire Mitigation Efforts: Summary

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Next Gold Hill Town Meeting: February 14th, 7:00 pm

____________________________________________________________

 

Draft Budget for Pine Street House to Become a Community Center

Regarding the conversation about the Pine St. property becoming the town Community Center.   Here is a draft budget that I have worked up with the additions of a half dozen other people. It is not perfect and there are some unknown numbers.   But some numbers are avaialble.  I will present the budget at the town meeting on Monday evening for discussion
This budget will help us in the discussion Monday evening about the future of the Pine St. property.  
You may think of changes or additions…this is a working document so additional information is welcome.
See you at the town meeting.
Torkin Wakefield

torkinw@nullgmail.com

Draft Budget for Pine Street House to Become a Community Center


Phase 1:   Purchase and Upgrades

There would be a one year time frame given by current owner, Friends of  Gold Hill

Sale Price:                 $260,000

Repairs

            Roof,           $12,300
            Septic           30,000 – $35,000  
            Electrical      20,000
            Rennovatons 10,000 – 15,000  (this is a guess and will have to include bringing the building to                                                 code regulations  This does not include any extensive                                                               remodeling.)

Total:  $332,000 – 342,000

Discussion:

How would we raise this money?   Who would be in charge?  A volunteer, a committee, the mayor?

What sources of money have we identified?

Phase 2:  Yearly expenses

Insurance               1,200   (because this is a public space the insurance could be a lot more)
Taxes                  1,181
Upkeep, repairs       500    (this is a guess snf msy be loo low for an old house)
Heat                         500    (this is a guess)
Electricity             300    (this is a guess)
Admin/cleaning    2,400     (I know that someone will habe to sbe scheduling, cleaning, keeping the key                              etc  This is $200/month)

Supplies                120       Based on $10/mont – would include things like toilet paper, soap, light                                                 bulbs, etc

Unexpected               ?

Total :             $ 6241 

This comes to a little over $500 per month with no unexpected expenditures

One time costs: (no numbers guessed)

 Furnishings:  $ ?  (some donations are possible and some items will probably have to be purchased)

Safety :    $ ?   (locks, fire extinguishers, signage, fire and ozone detectors, regulations to meet etc)

Income:

Discussion:

 Who would be in charge of raising these on-going expenses?  The mayor?  the treasurer?  A community center committee?

How will we  raise in excess of $6000 per year?

Ideas:

              Hold an Annual fundraising event similar to the one the museum holds. 

  • Write Grants – possibilities for this with the community foundation, the county and the state. Other local private foundations. 
  • Charge a Facility fee for trainings, classes, work space use, and other events 
  • Request Donations associated with activities such as the recent Columbia giveaway 

Have we identified any funds that might be available for this project?

What are the consequences if we can not raise the money?

 

 

900 Pine Transitional GHTM-GHFPD Scenario

900 Pine Transitional GHTM-GHFPD Scenario

 

Transition until a new combined

Fire Barn & Community Center can be constructed

Scenario

1.The GHTM purchases 900 Pine and renovates it minimally to serve as an interim space for use by the community until a new combined Fire Barn and Community Center has been located, designed and construction is ready to begin.

 2. When construction of the new facility is ready to begin, 900 Pine could be sold on the open market for residential use with the proceeds being used toward the matching funds State and Federal grant sources generally require.

Potential Advantages

1.Asset Value: For the GHTM, the purchase price for 900 Pine ($255k + costs and a 2% return) would be circa $85-90k below the current market value (an independent valuation assessed the property in its current condition at $350k). Any renovations undertaken by the community should add to the ultimate value at the time of sale.

2. Fundraising for combined Fire Barn – Community Center: Contributions toward the purchase and renovation of 900 Pine would effectively become contributions toward a new combined Fire Barn and Community Center. Starting now would enable the town to initiate fund raising immediately rather than waiting until a new facility or other arrangements have been conceptualized, located and designed. This would need to be carefully explained to members of the GHTM and GHFPD as well as clearly structured.

3. Tap Historical Preservation Resources: Funds for historical preservation could be tapped from the county for renovation of 900 Pine, thus reducing costs to the community and increasing the ultimate amount of matching funds generated. A potential limitation on this is that preservation funds tend to restrict renovations and modern upgrades may be hard. 

4. Immediate support for GHFPD capacity expansion: Space at 900 Pine could be used to immediatelyalleviate some of the equipment and storage constraints facing the GHFPD assuming the GHTM and GHFPD could reach agreement on cooperation. Even without using any of the open land on 900 Pine, for example, the existing shed could be used to park a UTV and store other equipment. Parking a wildland fire fighting trailer outside on the property would expand capacities further.  This would enable the GHFPD to strengthen rapid response and mitigation capacities immediately rather than waiting for construction of a new station.  A potential concern in relation to this would be the proliferation of FD vehicles on 3 properties.  A couple of old FD pickups are parked across from Finn’s and the positioning of a UTV at Pine might meet some neighborhood opposition.  The impact could be limited by ensuring old FD pickups are either used or removed.

5. Establish Collaboration: Catalyze active collaboration between the GHTM and GHFPD. Joint planning would help to bring the community and GHFPD together.   This would also clearly demonstrate the level of community-district collaboration that major grant funding sources need to see.

Potential Disadvantages

1.Impacts on neighbors: Neighbors have raised concerns over parking, water demand and general non-residential uses. These are all valid concerns and arrangements would need to be structured in a manner that assures everyone that this is a temporary use and would go away by a specific date.

2. Investment risk: Although the property has been valued at $350k, returns would only become “real” when the building is sold. There are also uncertainties in how much renovation would cost, who would do it, and what the county requirements and contributions might be. Returns could, as a result, fall short of expectations. 

3. Slippery Slope: Once 900 Pine begins being used, the community could change its mind about selling or the GHTM and GHFPD could come into conflict with each other. That could result in uses for 900 Pine evolving in ways that are difficult to predict and might not match the desires of neighbors.  To address this an agreement could be drafted and recorded that defines the terms for selling or changing uses. 

Potential Avenues for Mitigating Disadvantages

1.Clear rules and guidelines for use of 900 Pine could be established through the GHTM and GHFPD at the time of purchase to reduce impacts on neighbors. This could address issues such as parking, scale of activities, water use, maintenance, etc.  As noted above, these rules could be written and recorded in a way that ensures that, unlike some prior agreements, they are not lost over time.

2. Investment Risk: The main way of mitigating investment risk would be through broad community support in support of any decision to go forward. This would increase voluntary contributions and the ability to attract grants.  If community support remains divided, risk is probably higher.

3. Slippery Slope: Again, as identified in the first bullet in this section, clearly documented and recorded rules and guidelines could mitigate the risk of a slippery slope.

Marcus Moench

marcus.moench@nullgmail.com

Solstice Gathering

 

The days WILL get longer!

Neighborhood

Solstice Celebration

with

Kort McCumber

Saturday, December 18th starting at 5:00

 weather permitting*

Outside on Gold Run Street, behind the store

 

BRING A LIGHT OR COME AS A LIGHT

 

Hosted by

Elisabeth & Marcus

and

The Gold Hill Store & Pub

Elisabeth and Marcus will provide fire pits, heat lamps, and hot cider and rum — and Kort playing on our terrace

Delicious food and more drinks available to buy at the store,

including special Polish sausages procured by Robert, Beata and Max

Please be courteous — come vaccinated or masked, don’t come if you’re feeling sick!  Thanks and Love 

 

*backup date: The Solstice – Tuesday, December 21st.  If weather is dubious, look for a notice from Gretchen re change of plan on the Gold Hill town website or check with one of the hosts

 

Caroling!

Happy Holiday Season!

Do you like to sing Christmas carols?  Do you like to hear a caroling group singing carols?  Would you like to go caroling on Thursday, December 16th, 2021?

If you’re interested in caroling, meet at the Pub on Thursday, December 16th at 5:30 pm.  Jay will have some great cider and hand pies for you to purchase to get through the hungries of the dinner hour.  We’ll provide you with lyric songbooks or a pdf of the lyrics.  We’ll carol as a group and visit the houses of those that want to hear our singing. It should be lots of fun and many of you have asked about singing Christmas carols around town.

If you like to hear Christmas carols, let Deb and Max know and we will stop by your house and sing to you.

Let us know if you intend to sing with the group and if you would want to carry a booklet of lyrics or if you’d like the pdf and we’ll be sure to have everything ready for you.  We’ll finish the night at the Yeager’s for some hot chocolate!  Hopefully we’ll have some wonderful snow to complete the evening.  RSVP if you can please!  303 449 0454, deb@nullmountainvisions.net, or max@nullyeagerexcavating.com

 

Deb and Max

Official Gold Hill FPD Board Position on 900 Pine

 

 

lopez.law.office.co@nullgmail.com

FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness

Individual and Community
Preparedness Announcement

 

Are You Ready? is Now Available in Spanish with Additional Languages to Come!

FEMA developed this guide to help individuals and communities take simple steps to prepare before an emergency. This publication is currently available for download in English and Spanish. The Spanish print version may be pre-ordered from the FEMA warehouse.

Disasters disrupt thousands of communities every year, leaving behind lasting effects on lives and property. After a disaster, local first responders and other assistance may be unable to reach people right away.

Are You Ready? empowers individuals and communities by providing detailed information on how best to prepare your family and community for disasters. The guide includes best practices to inform preparedness decisions about specific disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and active shooters.

Are You Ready? replaces FEMA’s Independent Study course IS-909 Community Preparedness: Simple Activities for Everyone.

Let’s work together to build a more resilient nation. Pre-order or download Are You Ready? today.

 

¿Está usted preparado? ya está disponible en español, ¡y habrá más idiomas próximamente!

FEMA ha desarrollado esta guía para ayudar a las personas y a las comunidades a tomar medidas sencillas para prepararse antes de una emergencia. Esta publicación está actualmente disponible para su descarga en inglés y español. La versión impresa en español puede encargarse por adelantado en el almacén de FEMA.

Los desastres perturban a miles de comunidades cada año, dejando tras de sí efectos duraderos en vidas y propiedades. Después de un desastre, es posible que los primeros intervinientes locales y otras ayudas no puedan llegar a la gente de inmediato.

¿Está usted preparado? capacita a las personas y a las comunidades proporcionando información detallada sobre la mejor manera de preparar a su familia y a su comunidad para los desastres. La guía incluye las mejores prácticas para informar sobre las decisiones de preparación ante desastres específicos, como huracanes, terremotos y tiradores activos.

¿Está usted preparado? sustituye al curso de estudio independiente de FEMA IS-909 Preparación de la comunidad: Actividades sencillas para todos.

Trabajemos juntos para construir una nación más resistente. Encargue por adelantado o descargue¿Está usted preparado? hoy mismo. 

Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events, entities, organizations, services, or products. Please let us know about other events and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included in future newsletters by contacting 

FEMA-prepare@nullfema.dhs.gov.

 
 
 
 
 
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Subscribe to receive alerts during disasters in your state.

If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

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Privacy Policy | GovDelivery is providing this information on behalf of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and may not use the information for any other purposes.
 

 

 

 

 

Quick reminder – slash dumpsters!

This is a quick reminder that we have dumpsters available at the Inn parking lot for slash and old lumber.  An additional dumpster for slash will be delivered tomorrow (Thursday) morning — so please take advantage of it!  We’re planning to keep dumpster space available until Friday at 3:00 PM.   
 
If there isn’t space for slash in the slash dumpster, feel free to put it in with the lumber.  Please don’t put lumber into the slash dumpster!
 
An additional note: We also have some paid labor available to help move slash and old lumber for those who are unable to deliver it to the dumpsters themselves.  Please let Marcus know if you need assistance!
 

Request for Volunteers for Slash Dumpsters

Request for Volunteers:

 
We need people to monitor dumpsters and provide other assistance on the fire mitigation activity Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Specifically we need:
 
  1. Individuals to monitor dumpsters and make sure that general trash isn’t being put in them Thursday and Friday from 10:00 to 3:00.  One dumpster will be only for compostable slash.  The other can accept old lumber, etc., but not general trash
  2. Individuals who can vollunteer time and possibly truck space to help move slash and lumber from sites around town, particularly properties owned by older residents who can’t clear materials from their own property.
If you can, please meet at the dumpsters at 10:00 tomorrow for coordination.
 
Please indicate availability to 
 
 

On Nov 30, 2021, at 11:36 AM, Marcus Moench <marcus.moench@nullgmail.com> wrote:
Request for Volunteers:

 
We need people to monitor dumpsters and provide other assistance on the fire mitigation activity Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Specifically we need:
 
  1. Individuals to monitor dumpsters and make sure that general trash isn’t being put in them Thursday and Friday from 10:00 to 3:00.  One dumpster will be only for compostable slash.  The other can accept old lumber, etc., but not general trash
  2. Individuals who can vollunteer time and possibly truck space to help move slash and lumber from sites around town, particularly properties owned by older residents who can’t clear materials from their own property.
 
Please indicate availability to 
 
 

Slash Dumpsters arrive Dec. 1

 As part of on-going fire mitigation efforts dumpsters will be available for slash and other burnables next week at no charge. This went out by postcard a while ago but it’s important to remind everyone.
 
The dumpsters will arrive on the morning of December 1st and will be picked up on December 3rd before 3:00 pm.  We’ll have two of them:
 
  1. One for only for slash (compostable organics only!)
  2. One for anything that contributes to fire risks — old lumber, etc… 
 
This is for fire mitigation and not general trash!!!!    We’re planning to monitor the dumpsters, and it’s important for everyone to only use them for the intended purpose.
 
Marcus
marcus.moench@nullgmail.com

Max M – Fire Fighter !

On November 18, 2021, Gold Hill resident Max Mazurkiewicz, graduated from the Academy as a Fire Fighter 1.  This is the culmination of hours and hours of hard work and training.  The Town of Gold Hill is fortunate to have a new, well trained fire fighter.  There is a “congratulations card” at the Gold Hill Store for anyone to sign.  Well done Max!  
 

Wildfire Partners is hiring!

 
Wildfire Partners · PO Box 471 · Boulder · Colorado · 80306
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Thanks to everyone for Holiday Boutique

Thanks everyone for making our Holiday Boutique CASH FLASH event a big success last weekend.  I heard many kind words from the attendees and members of the community and visitors to the town were very supportive of our efforts.  There was a party at the Pub with so many great artists and the other locations, The Red Store, Amy’s Tiny Shop, and the Museum all had a successful day.  Thanks again for supporting our efforts in bringing some local shopping to you.  Don’t forget, if you need more holiday gift giving goodies we can all help you with more offerings this season.

Deb

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

 

 

 

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