GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

September 20, 2022

7:00 PM

MEETING IN THE FIRE BARN

CALL TO ORDER

ATTENDANCE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

FIRE CHIEF’S MINUTES           

CALLS:   

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: 

                      Training team members

                      Past training

                      Upcoming training

         New volunteers

MAINTENANCE: 
         Vehicles 

                     Equipment

EQUIPMENT: 

                     Inventory

                     Condition

OTHER BUSINESS 

         MITIGATION

Mill Levy:  Jay DEO,  Rich

UTV:  Trailer purchase authorization, Training  Chris D,  Kent

ESO Software:  Authorization to purchase.  Laptop.  Kent

Grants:  AFG Grant, DFPC Bunker Gear, Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM). Kris G,

Ashram/Ashley Mitigation Update: Maya

EDUCATION

Mill Levy Campaign:  Board role is limited so we will rely on residents to take the lead.  October 16, Gold Hill Harvest Party. Coordination with other FPD mill levy campaigns, Marcus, Town meeting, Virginia

Four-District CWPP Update: September 12 meeting. Chris D 

         OTHER TOPICS:

“An Evening of Music Performed by Benjamin Sproul”

Thursday, September 15th @ 5:30 PM

Windy Acres (~10600 Gold Hill Rd, south side of road)

Please join us for an evening of music performed by Benjamin Sproul, a truly talented and charming singer and guitarist in the Americana/Folk genre. Although Benjamin has been most commonly spotted on a stage with an electric guitar and a raging band, that is far from this Boulder-born musician’s only outlet.  Starting at the age of 18, Sproul began exploring the world of song-craft through a more Folk and Americana direction. Starting with an open mic at the old Boulder café “The Burnt Toast”, Sproul developed song, voice and the art of the solo performance. Though band and groups have come and gone over the years, Sproul goes on with his solo music journey and continues to pack his old suitcase of songs with fresh stories, intermingled with songs of the passed.

The concert will occur on Thursday, September 15th.  Music will begin at 5:30 PM, and last approximately 1 ½ hours.  The performance will take place on the platform at “Windy Acres”, the Geesaman property located at ~10600 Gold Hill Road, across from Sacred Mountain Ashram to the south of the county road.  Please park on the county road unless you have a health issue, and enter the property at the gate and follow the dirt road.  If needed, a shuttle to the music can be arranged (contact Rick at 303-444-7756).  We will be passing the hat to show our appreciation for Benjamin and his music after the performance.

Please bring your own chairs and refreshments.  Dogs must be under control, and preferably silent.  We look forward to seeing you all, and sharing another special evening.  Be aware that the event will be cancelled if the weather turns stormy, or if the wind is excessive.

Rick and Breida Geesaman  (303-444-7756)

There will be a memorial service for Edie on Sunday Sept. 18th at 12 noon at the cemetery.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Notes from the August 8, 2022, Zoom Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, October  10, 7:00 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order on Zoom by Chair Emma Dirolf. Fifteen people attended:

Community members Emma, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Chrissy and Member at Large Dan Maedke, Karen Simmons, Heidi Kessler and Richard Roth, Sarah O’Brien and Sam Bennett, Emily Rose, Virginia Schultz, Deb Yeager and guests: Paul Beale with the Buffalo Bicycle Classic and Maya MacHamer and Lee Troop with the Boulder Watershed Collective.

Minutes – Because the June TM was not an official meeting due to lack of a quorum, we now approved the minutes of the April TM as well as the notes from the June unofficial meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – no report as Jay was out of town.

Agenda – Elections were scheduled next, but Virginia requested that our guests be recognized next and all agreed.  She reported that Maya and Lee had worked on the running race a couple of years ago, which provided the seed money for our mitigation work,  and wondered if the GHTM would be interested in partnering with them again on another in 2023.

Boulder Watershed Collective – Maya provided an update on our wildfire mitigation work.  With grants from the Community Foundation, we’ve had two different episodes, last fall and this spring, of collecting slash and altogether filled 7 dumpsters.  That’s a lot of slash removed from town.  Also, Teens, Inc. Youth Corps installed rock perimeters around 6 homes as well as slash and tree removal on 4 different homes – a lot of amazing work was accomplished with approx. $29,000 including flashing around several homes.

         She then presented one option for fund raising.  The 2019 running race through town and the Switzerland Trail raised $4200 just in admissions, which was the seed money to organize and raise thousands more for mitigation work.

         Lee added that the objective was to raise funds for the Fourmile Watershed, and he along with Maya and Joe Grant did a lot of talking to townspeople so everyone knew what it was all about and what it entailed.  All the kids from the school were included free in a 1K race, and there were 5, 10, and 50K races.  They worked to be sensitive to the townspeople not feeling overerun and looked at ways to minimize that.  They organized buses and charged racers who brought cars a fee for parking. People really want to do this race again.  They’re looking at 2023 towards the end of September and want it to be a partnership with the town.  Watershed people will give a talk on fire danger and mitigation, etc.

         Dan added that they did an amazing job and he thinks it’s a great idea.  Lee will be putting out a flyer.  They were proud of the effort and that everyone participated.  The plan is to replicate the first effort, come up and talk to people, promote health and fitness as well as help raise funds for mitigation work.  Dan agreed it’s important to explain where the money goes and to have someone to contact with questions – Lee Troop  lee@nullteamboco.com     720-532-5549

         Virginia stated she supported it as presented as did the rest of us.

Buffalo Biocycle Classic – Paul Beal reported that this race raises scholarship funds for Colorado High School graduates with 4.0 GPAs to go to CU.  It will be Sunday, September 11 – will come up Boulder Canyon to Magnolia Road, Nederland, the Switzerland Trail to Gold Hill and down Fourmile – they will have signs.  It’s called “The Dirty Epic” They’re looking for an aid station location – possibly at the Switzerland trail and Gold Run Road.  Several possible locations were suggested.  They will supply their own water and food.  This is a ride, not a race, and they won’t be speeding through town.  The typical rider averages 60 years old and they expect 50 – 100 people.  Electric bikes are allowed, but they don’t expect any. For questions contact Director of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic Jennifer Anderson (jennifer.anderson-3@nullcolorado.edu   303-898-8900

Mountain Stewards – Virginia reported there is no information yet on the bulk buy from the County for solar stuff– they will let us know sometime next year and then people can get on the list to participate.  Regarding the Community Foundation Grant, they have to spend the money by the end of the month and the report is due by the end of September.   Mitigation is importand and everyone should fill out the survey on the four district CWPP (Community Wildfire Protection Plan)  –   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSKTFCT   Questions? Contact Virginia, Maya or Marcus.

Forestry – Virginia reports that the mitigation work will be starting at the Ashley’s soon.  Also, there will be a ballot issue for Boulder County on the November Election to support County Mitigation work  see   https://goldhilltown.com/november-ballot-measures-for-wildfire-mitigation-emergency-response-and-transportation/

IMA – Pam sent an email “The IMA update is: 

we didn’t meet last month, but at this month’s meeting, we are looking forward to reports from Steve Silbermann, the Sheriff’s Office Communications director, on emergency communications in the mountains and from the Office of Disaster Management on their new Emergency “Train the Trainer” program”.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that this year is the 149^th school year and she is already thinking about celebrating the 150^th next year around Labor Day.  Possibly the Museum might be interested in participating.

         This is Jojo’s first year as a teacher.  She’s excited and working hard already.  The Fall Fiesta is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 16, and everyone is looking forward to it.  They are hoping for a good local applicant for the BVSD Principal assistant job.

         Chrissy wrote to the Town Council in the spring asking them to consider funding the school opening project.  This will be a leadership training focused on 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students to make it a nice transition back to school – like camp.  They will focus on the 7 habits of successful kids and look at one habit each day using it for the kids to explore what kind of students they want to be.  They will take a trip to the Colorado Mountain Ranch for team building exercises.  They are asking for $1000 from the GHTM because they haven’t been able to do fundraising for a couple of years.  This led to some discussion on ways to fund raise.  In the end, Emma looked at the last Treasurer’s report which indicated that we had $2900 in the general fund, and she made a motion to fund this $1000 request from the school for the school opening project.  Gretchen seconded and it passed unanimously.

         Chrissy added that the school district had used COVID money to bump up a staff member for the school to full time and, even though there is no more COVID money, they will continue to fund this full time position, which Chrissy feels is essential.  She is continually asked how many students are enrolled, are school closures a concern as all schools are losing populations because families are moving to more affordable places like Erie and the outskirts of Boulder.  The district is studying consolidating some schools, but they have assured us they would not do this to Gold Hill because our school is so important to the community.

Museum – Deb reports that we are in an anniversary era: the Gold Hill Inn has turned 60, the Ranch is 75, the Museum is 25 and the Gold Hill Club turns 100 in addition to the school being 150 next year.  She’s thinking it’s an exciting time and fuel for next years’ calendar.

         The Community Outreach is scheduled for Saturday, September 3 and will present a talk on the Sand Creek Massacre.  They will have a Native speaker and the event will be at the Yeager’s house out of doors.  See https://goldhilltown.com/event/museum-community-outreach/

They are also planning a longer season and the museum will be open through the end of September – Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 2.  They have enlarged the board and have lots of new ideas and a new website.

Community Planning and Fundraising – Dan reports that after the elections we’ll see who is interested, but he has set up a tentative date with the Inn to have the Gold Rush on Sunday, September 11th.

Cemetery – no report

Community Center – no report

SafeLink/NeighborLink – Deb reports that, after the last near evacuation, the OEM and Everbridge (the County reverse 9-1-1) notified everyone very quickly.    Deb also rports that Pam has raised the idea of a siren to help notify everyone in an emergency.  They will look at possible locations and other questions.  Chrissy just read an article in the Camera that Longmont is getting rid of its siren system because of advances in phone notification systems and advances in technology.  She’s curious about maintenance and costs.  There are a number of questions to be considered.

Weed Management – Deb reports that she and Max have their party on the ridge the Sunday before Labor Day, but the space is now infested with invasive daisies.  They are hoping for volunteers to help pull them – “Daisies and Draughts”?

Historic Zoning – no report

Fire Department – Sarah also wanted to encourage everyone to do the CWPP Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSKTFCT  And to check out the Fire Board Meetings the 3^rdTuesday of each month at 7:00.

Elections – After much discussion among the 12 members present about who would agree to serve in what position, Chrissy nominated Dan to continue as Member at Large, Emma nominated Sarah O’Brien to move from Vice-Chair to chair,  seconded by Gretchen,  Deb nominated Chrissy Maedke as Vice Chair, no one else seemed at all interested in replacing  me as Secretary, so I’m still here, Sarah nominated her husband Sam Bennett as Treasurer.  Deb moved that we vote on all these positions, Dan seconded, and this whole slate was approved by all the voters, with many thanks to Emma Dirolf for doing such a great job the last two challenging years as Chair.

So, our new board consists of:

         Chair – Sarah O’Brien

         Vice Chair – Chrissy Maedke

         Secretary – Gretchen Diefenderfer

         Treasurer – Sam Bennett

         Member at Large – Dan Maedke

Dan has tentatively scheduled the Gold Rush (some combination of Bake Sale, Music, Food, rummage and crafts) for September 11th and issued a plea for help.  Deb Yeager, Gretchen, and several others assured him they would assist.  We talked about the collaborative nature of the Council, that we’re all here to help each other, and that we all should feel welcome to ask for help when we need it.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Your history museum is wanting to capture stories and memories of Gold HIll.  Over the years, we’ve heard many of you talk about the great stories of people we all know and love and those that have unfortunately left us.  Many of you have been members of the 100 year old Gold Hill Club, where memories of people who have lived in Gold Hill have been shared since 1923 and are being captured in print for our archives.  We have much information on the first 100 years but not much on the last 60 rich years in Gold Hill and to that end, we are going to gather as many of those stories as you’ll share with us.  We need those of you who have lived in Gold Hill for a long time and those of you who are new to Gold Hill to join us so you too can know the legacy of this great little town.  We guarantee that you’ll love Gold Hill even more when you meet the people who lived here in the 60s and 70s.  They still live here today and we really want you all to meet!

There are many new and wonderful folks who have moved into Gold Hill because they love it here, just like the rest of us, but they don’t know the rich history of the hippies of the 60s and 70s and those that are still here and the crazy stories of where and how they lived.  This could be an entire night in and of itself!  Then there is the “rescuing” of the sign that says “Gold Hill” that seemed to disappear along the Peak to Peak highway for years because no one wanted others to “find” Gold Hill; how people got their homes in town and squatted in others; how they built the fire barn out of scraps that they found in other mountain towns;  how the Tour de Rump actually started and ended at Hanson’s Pond and how they dressed, or not;  how they raised and cared for their children and others; how to tell who was carousing with whom; how the wind took away an outhouse in January; who did gymnastics in the Inn on the rafters, wearing a dress an pantyhose; how closing night at the Inn has changed; Twinkles – who was twinkles; taking a toboggan down Lick Skillet with no brakes; and many, many more.  You won’t want to miss this event!

We are so excited to share this with you that we want you to join us at the home of Max and Debra Yeager, 1225 Pine Street, on Saturday evening, August 27^th at 7 pm.  Bring a chair, whatever you’re drinking and/or snacking on, and we will be outside  in the side yard for the evening sharing stories and getting to know each other.  Set an intention to have a fun and great time.  Thomas and Joey have agreed to videotape this for our archives and we are thrilled to have them do this for us.  It is guaranteed to be a memorable evening.  Don’t be late please since they will be all set up for the evening.

So, everyone who wants to share stories or listen to them, we’ll see you then.  Please plan on walking up Pine Street.  There isn’t room for parking anywhere.  This will be an evening full of laughter and new friends meeting old friends.  See you then!

Deb Yeager

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Thank you, Gold Hill for the years of support you have given our Historic Gold Hill Museum.  This year we are inviting you to attend our Community Outreach event on SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 3^rd, at the home of Debra and Max Yeager. Our address is 1225 Pine Street and there is very limited parking. We are the last house on the west end of Pine Street.  Many of you have mentioned that you do not want to be in tight quarters due to the continuing virus.  Therefore, we are holding this event out of doors where we have electricity for our speaker.  Unfortunately this is the only place that we can do so in town and accommodate you.  Please be prepared for any kind of weather. 

Our topic this year is a solemn one, The Sand Creek Massacre.  We have some information on connections with Gold Hill and this most egregious moment in our history.  We ask that you are seated by 6:20 pm.   Our speaker will begin at 6:30 pm. The information that you will hear may be new to you and we suggest that this lecture may not be an appropriate one for small children. 

Because of the nature of this presentation, we will NOT be holding a cocktail party.  We will instead be offering you hot herbal tea.  We will also not have available items from our gift shop.  We ask you to please come and visit us at the museum at a later time to see the items that we have to offer this season and to view the new exhibits and artifacts on display this year. 

We are grateful and honored that our speaker, Rick Williams, will share this information with us. Here is Mr. William’s bio:

Leader of the People Sacred Land

 Richard “Rick” B. Williams, an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, is part Cheyenne. Rick is currently the Leader of the People of the Sacred land, a nonprofit in Colorado that is preparing a Truth Restoration and Education Commission to study the truth of what happened to Indian people in Colorado. In the past, he has served as the President & CEO of the American Indian College Fund (“Fund”).  The Fund, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, raises private support for scholarships, endowments, programs, and public awareness on behalf of the 34 U.S. Tribal colleges and universities. 

 Before joining the Fund, Mr. Williams served both as the director of the Student Academic Service Center and the director of Minority Student Affairs at the University of Colorado.  He has also served as the Director of American Indian Upward Bound, a program designed to provide educational opportunities to Indian youth.  Dedicated to Indian education, Mr. Williams continues to make time for involvement in programs and organizations targeting Indian youth and education. 

 Mr. Williams received an M.A. in Education Administration (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Wyoming in 1987.  In 1975, he became the first American Indian student to graduate with a B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  In 1999, the University of Nebraska honored him with the Alumni Achievement Award and Distinguished Alumni Award. Rick was selected as the National Indian Education Association- Educator of the Year in 2005.   Rick was honored with an honorary PhD. from Roger Williams University in 2007. Rick loves doing historical research, is an advocate for Native Language Immersion programs, and is committed to becoming a fluent Lakota speaker.

 Thank you again Gold Hill for your interest in learning more about our storied history.  It is our mission statement to bring our history to you.

Historic Gold Hill, Inc.

Board Members                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Debra Yeager, President                                                                                                                                                                                              

Joan Few, Curator

                                                                                      Past Community Outreach Event

                                                                                      2015     The Bluebird

                                                                                      2016      Female Artists of the Front Range                                                                                                                         

              Boyd Brown, Treasurer                              2017      Mining in Gold HIll                                                                                                                                                                                        

              Norm Skarstad, Secretary                          2018      Switzerland Trail                                                                                                                                                

              Members at Large                                        2019     Tellurium                                                                                                                                                

                             Jane Maslanka                               2020      Ghost Stories of Gold Hill                                                                                                                                                 

                             Jenna Gann                                     2021      Outhouses and Toilet Paper                                                                                                                                                   

                             Kate Inskeep                                   2022      The Sand Creek Massacre                                                                                                                                                    

                             Tim Johnson

                             Dana Hatlelid

                            Mary Clair Mulligan

Deb Yeager

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Hi everyone:

Max and I are once again inviting you to our Sunday Before Labor Day Party on the Ridge. It begins at 2 pm on Sunday, September 4th. Bring a dish to share and your favorite beverage. As always, we will provide country style ribs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, spirits and mixers, and a keg of Max’s favorite brew. Please walk in from the driveway allowing for our elders to be able to drive up to the cabin. Bring a wrap for the evening weather, and plan on enjoying your day doing nothing but partying with your friends and neighbors and enjoy the views. As you may know, this party began over 30 years ago as a way for Max to say thank you to the town of Gold Hill for helping him build and sustain Yeager Excavating. We hope that you’ll join us for a terrific day.

Deb Yeager

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Don’t forget – this is our annual ELECTIONS Meeting, and there are positions to fill! Consider volunteering – we need some good people

Gold Hill Town Meeting

Monday, 7:00 p.m. August 8th, 2022

____________________________________________________________________________

Zoom Virtual Meeting

Time: Aug 8, 2022 07:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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____________________________________________________________

Review of Previous Minutes (additions or corrections)

Treasurer’s Report

ELECTIONS!

Guest Presenters

Maya – BWC

Jennifer – Buffalo Bicycle Classic: Sept 11

Emergency Preparedness/Communications – Pam?

Committee Reports

Mountain Stewards 

Forestry and Forest Management

Gold Hill School – Chrissy

IMA

Museum 

Community Planning and Fundraising 

Cemetery

Community Center

SafeLink/NeighborLink 

AirLink 

Weed Management

Historical Zoning

Fire Department

Other Town News: 

Upcoming Meetings/Events

____________________________________________________________________________

Next Gold Hill Town Meeting: October 10th, 7:00 pm (Indigenous People’s Day)

____________________________________________________________