From Peter Swift:

CU Denver has dedicated a class to study a community center for Gold Hill. Two meetings will help facilitate the development of plans; the first proposed meeting will be a public input session attended by Prof. Keith Loftin.  Interested community members will be asked about 1) possible locations for the building, 2) proposed uses of the building and 3) appropriate architectural styles. The meeting will be on Monday, August 27th at 7 pm at the Community Center at the Fire Barn.

The second proposed meeting will be on Thursday, August 30th at 1:30 pm at the Community Center in the Fire Barn. The students will attend along with Prof. Loftin. The group will tour the proposed building sites and analyze community input from the previous meeting. They will then assemble (tentatively) in the Fire Barn at about 2:30 to receive comments from those who couldn’t make the previous meeting. 

The purpose of this exercise is both to provide the class with a “real world” project, but also to use the project to start a fundraising effort to hire consultants to design the building and do site engineering. Subsequently, there will be fundraising to get it approved and built.

Please come with your ideas and suggestions to help with the design and use of the building. 

For questions or more information, contact Peter at 720-406-7487 or email him at phswi@nullaol.com

Gold Hill Town Meeting Agenda

Monday, August 13^th2018

NEW START TIME – 7:00p.m.

Approval of previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

 Town Council Elections

 Bylaws Review – see https://goldhilltown.com/bylaws-proposed-changes/  

        for the proposed changes and https://goldhilltown.com/what-it-is/    for the bylaws as they stand now

 Committee Reports

Gold Hill School

Community Planning –Gold Rush

Weed Committee – See notes below

Wildfire Safety

Community Center – See notes below

Cemetery Committee

New Business

Upcoming Meetings/Events:

September 23^rdGold Hill Gold Rush

October 8^thGold Hill Town Meeting – 2019 Budget Discussion

December 10^thGold Hill Town Meeting

Pam’s – Weed Committee Notes:

(1) On July 31 we did a Walk ‘n Talk in the Town Meadow with three guestsfrom the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS–formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service), a subdivision of USDA. They all came from the Longmont Office: Soil Conservationist Sylvia, Forester Dan, Intern Cat, and also CSU Extension Boulder County Small Acreage Management Coordinator Sharon came as well. Gold Hill Joanne led us on a hike up the Meadow Trail. There was lots of discussion up and down the trail and Gold Hillers said they asked all the questions they had about revegetation and weeds and anything else related that came to mind. Btw it was also fun!

(2) Forester Dan (see #1 above) runs anew federal program under NRCS which pays part of the cost of fire mitigationon private land (landas opposed to structures, which is Wildfire Partners’ focus). He said it was up to 1/2 to 2/3 of total cost per acre. This program works with homeowners who have gotten together to pool their acreage for this work. Total acreage in each neighborhood pool has to be at least 1-300 A. By town meeting we should have more info.

(3) Residents have been mitigating spotted knapweed, mullein, leafy spurge, Canada thistle, and others with a habit of taking over. Canada thistle flowered a month early this year at my place; took me by surprise.  Other plants both native and adapted are early, too. What have you noticed?

For color photos of the invasive weeds on the state of Colorado list go here

Community Center – Peter Swift:

CU Denver has dedicated a class to study a community center for Gold Hill. Two meetings will help facilitate the development of plans; the first proposed meeting will be a public input session attended by Prof. Keith Loftin.  Interested community members will be asked about 1) possible locations for the building, 2) proposed uses of the building and 3) appropriate architectural styles. The meeting will be on Monday, August 27th at 7 pm in the Fire Barn (tentative location).

The second proposed meeting will be on Thursday, August 30th at 1:30 pm at a location to be announced. The students will attend along with Prof. Loftin. The group will tour the proposed building sites and analyze community input from the previous meeting. They will then assemble (tentatively) in the Fire Barn at about 2:30 to receive comments from those who couldn’t make the previous meeting. 

The purpose of this exercise is both to provide the class with a “real world” project, but also to use the project to start a fundraising effort to hire consultants to design the building and do site engineering. Subsequently, there will be fundraising to get it approved and built.

Please come with your ideas and suggestions to help with the design and use of the building. 

Gold Hill Town Meeting ELECTIONS, Monday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

GET INVOLVED – MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Calling for Positive and Passionate People to Serve on the Gold Hill Town Council

The Gold Hill Town Meeting is a non-profit that meets bimonthly to provide a forum for community discussions such as awareness of community services, fire mitigation, and other items that impact the community.

We invite people to fill council positions, particularly those who have a passion for the community and want to make a positive impact. Currently, the council is made up of 5 positions 

Chair

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Member at Large

Please attend the next meeting – Monday, August 13^th at 7 p.m. at the Community Center above the Fire Station. We will also be discussing Bylaw changes, Community Center planning, and Wildfire Safety Update.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the June 11th, 2018, Town Meeting

 Next Town Meeting will be Monday, August 13, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

 ELECTIONS!  Who would like to step up and help?

 The meeting opened with a presentation by Jenifer Fischer, LCSW (licensed clinical social worker with Mental Health Partners), of Senior Reach (720-450-2787).  For anyone 60 or older, they provide support and counseling on life issues, including anxiety and depression, providing an outside person to listen and help with guidance to other resources and agencies.  It’s completely confidential, they will come to you and there is no cost for up to 10 or 12 sessions.  They will bill insurance, if you have it, but you will not be charged.  They have a grant from the Boulder County Commissioners to provide this service and have been in existence for 12 years. 

The regular meeting was then called to order by Vice Chair Johanna Morrison in the absence of Chair Tony Vrba.  The meeting was attended by fifteen people: Treasurer Martha Knapp, Peter Swift, John and Cherry Sand, Dina Elder, Maggie Simms, Chellee Courtney, Karen Simmons, Rick Sheingold, Ian and Maryanna (Penny) Stewart, PamSherman, Virginia Schultz, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, and Vice Chair Jojo Morrison.

Minutes of the June meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reported

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 Gold Hill School –  Jojo reports that the school year is over and they had a great year.  This was her last year at the school.  She needs to focus on finishing up her Masters in Organizational Leadership and Innovative Change.  She’s loved working at the school, it’s been amazing, and now she needs to explore what lies ahead for her.

 Forestry/Mitigation –Virginia reported that the chipping event has been scheduled for July 23-27.  ADDENDUM – because there was not enough interest, this has been put off – possibly to be rescheduled in the fall.

 Community Planning – no report

 Weed Management – Pam reported that they have obtained weevils to attack the Spotted Knapweed from Professor Seastead at CU. They hope to see results by the fall.  They will monitor them.  She would love to lead a weed walk if there is interest.

ADDENDUM – Weed Walk ‘n Talk in Town Meadow with NRCS and CSU Extension, Tuesday July 31 from 1 to 2 pm.  Meet outside the Store before 1 pm so we can start promptly at 1.

 Sylvia Hickenlooper, Soil Conservationist with the Longmont Office of the National Resource Conservation Service (formerly called the National Soil Conservation Service, it’s under USDA) and Sharon Bokan, CSU Extension Boulder County Small Acreage Management Coordinator, will be leading a walk ‘n talk in the Gold Hill Town Meadow on Tuesday July 31 from 1 to 2 pm. They will ID weeds and plants and respond to any questions you have. 

Ian and Penny Stewart reported that they need to leave, but their land down Sunshine is in the Gold Hill Fire District and they wondered if they are in the Town Meeting area.  Gretchen replied that they are not, right now, but that we are looking at the town boundaries with the possibility of expanding them.

Historic Gold Hill/Museum – Gretchen reported that the Community Outreach event on the Switzerland Trail will be held on the 22, and the 2019 Calendars will be out for the 4^thof July

Historic Zoning – no report

Friends of Fazoo – Jojo reported that they are in bureaucratic ping-pong right now with the executive director of BoCo Open Space. The original person involved with adopting the land has left, so we are looking forward to finding out whom the lead person will be to deal with and what we will be able to do.  Joan would like weed whacking to be done before the planned historic survey, but, per BoCo, no machinery is allowed.  We know that no structures are allowed, but see the possibility of usable outdoor public space.  They have a lot of plans, but no lead person to deal with yet.

Mining – Gretchen reports that she received an update from Dick Cole that the Mill people have asked for an extension on their permit process

http://drmsweblink.state.co.us/drmsweblink/0/doc/1251378/Electronic.aspx?searchid=38fad6d4-377f-4d9a-9591-72d5ab640b28

Thanks, Dick

 Cemetery Committee – Maggie reports that we had a very successful clean up day on the 2^nd.   She has spoken with Dave Wilson about the survey and he said that a full survey would be around $1500-2000, but he doesn’t believe that’s needed.  He and a friend could do an “Exhibit” for less.  He needs to talk with the County and see what they want and he will do that.  On old maps it looks like all the boundaries are good and just that sliver is in contention. Jojo added that the County doesn’t want that sliver; we just have to make some mutually agreeable arrangement with them.  Maggie is very happy to have Dave on our side.

AirLink – Dina reports that they have discovered that Jamestown needs a new radio.  It has been ordered through the grant.  They have also bought a propane generator in case the batteries get low for the Horsfal site.  On Tuesday nights they have a net and Saturdays they have a chat room on the ham radios for the people who have licenses.  They have 50-60 on the email list but only about 18 participate in the Tuesday night net.  This is formal radio communications – the Saturday chat room is more informal.  If they get 8 interested people, they can have another licensing class.

IMA (InterMountain Alliance) – Dina reports that the main focus this year has been communications and putting plans together for any future emergency – how to communicate with each other when phones are out, etc.  They’re looking at something to make cell phones work within the community.  One possibility they are looking into is WiMax, which would create a Wi-Fi network within the community. 

            The second focus has been affordable housing. Nederland is working on how to accomplish this in a way that fits into Ned.

We then skipped ahead into NEW BUSINESS/Community Centeras Peter Swift had a difficult family situation and would need to leave.  He recently attended a lecture in Denver and ran into the Professor who did the previous architectural survey for Gold Hill a few years ago.  The Prof. and his class would love to devote the fall semester to renewing and expanding that work, looking at what we want, and coming up with a plan for us.  The Professor and Peter think that we should have a preliminary meeting to gauge community interest.  They’d look at possible sites and would work with available opportunities and constraints.  The plan would be to select a site to work on, survey it, do site planning, which Peter as a civil engineer could do, then work on an architectural design and maybe wrap up by the end of the fall semester.  The Professor and his graduate students love to work with a real-world situation.  They would bring all steps to the GHTM for input and approval. 

            Peter suggested we have a special Town Meeting in late August before the beginning of the fall semester to raise public awareness and engagement. Having the backing of the GHTM would also help with possible future grants.

            We then got sidetracked for a while into a discussion about whether this should be handled through the GHTM vs. a general community meeting.  Rick Sheingold pointed out that the purpose of the GHTM through the bylaws is “To hold town meetings and provide a forum for community discussion and basis for community action.”  This town meeting is managed by the people who show up, everyone in the town meeting area is invited to show up, and they show up when there are issues that interest them.  Rick also said that it seems like a fine thing to support the students with the added benefit to us of making possible progress on our community center goal.  We have been talking about a possible community center for a number of years now.

Peter thought that the students would hold a Charette (brainstorming sessions with facilitation) and then come back with a product that condenses the ideas raised. Eventually we’d use these ideas foundationally to move ahead if the community supports it. 

            Martha stated that it seems appropriate for the first meeting to be a special Town Meeting, which is focused on one subject. Peter will report at the regular August 13^thmeeting on possible dates for the Special Town Meeting.

Back to OLD BUSINESS

Move money for Forestry and review updated grant information – Virginia reported that she doesn’t foresee that they will need much, if any, money.  Wildfire Partners (http://www.wildfirepartners.org) sent out cards informing everyone of the free assessments and 2 hours free chipping and she has only heard from 2 people so far.  Martha wondered if those who had done the assessments and didn’t need chipping could donate their chipping to others, like the cemetery.  Virginia will ask. ADDENDUM: Boulder County has a minimum of 5 for the chipping grant and she has not has enough interest yet.  Possibly it can be rescheduled for the fall, if more people seem interested.

Move money for glasses and t-shirt fundraising – Martha reported that she had not received a formal request to repay Tony for ordering the glasses, but there is $232.68 still in the fund.  She has no information on costs or profits generated so far, and thinks we should track this in the future. The glasses ordered cost $564.06 for 144, so we would need $331.38 to reimburse Tony.  Gretchen moved that we reimburse Tony, Virginia seconded, and the motion passed. We sell them at the bake and rummage sale, to the Gold Hill Store and have, in the past, sold them to the Museum, but they have now designed their own glasses with a Switzerland Trail design, so will probably not be buying more of the town glasses.  We had a vague discussion of keeping money/profit in the Community Planning/Fundraising fund to facilitate purchasing glasses, etc., in the future as needed, but nothing was decided as we do not actually know what the profit is.

            Regarding funds, Rick ventured that if people donate for a specific purpose we should keep those funds as designated, i.e., the Community Relief Fund and the Cemetery Fund.  In the past, $4500 was moved from the Relief Fund to AirLink to purchase the ham radio equipment because it was felt that emergency communications fit into the original purpose (and, because of grant money received, there is still $3785 left in the AirLink fund).  Dina wants to keep a maintenance fund for batteries, etc. but would like that $250 that was donated specifically to AirLink at some point.  A motion was made and approved to leave those funds there for now and to discuss it more later.

Town Portrait –Maggie thinks that we could probably get a decent picture with a cell phone, but thought it would be better to have someone with a good camera (like Bear or David) to take our portrait.  She is still working on that.  The time was set for July 7, in front of the Gold Hilton, at 10 a.m. (this will be finalized later and an email sent out)

At this point, Chellee Courtney needed to leave soon, and since the Bylaws weren’t close to being addressed yet, she just wanted to state before she left that the Cemetery Committee has lots of projects planned that will require funds, and, as a member of the Cemetery Committee, she wanted to state clearly that she believes the money in the Cemetery Fund should stay there for cemetery needs.

Town Clean Up – Gretchen reported that it is scheduled for June 23, 9 – 2, at the Bluebird Lodge parking lot.  Since the cost of the dumpsters has gone up, she recommended that we just get one for this year.  Virginia moved that the Town Meeting pay for one dumpster, to be reimbursed by fees and donations.  Motion carried. 

Proposed Bylaws Updates – tabled until next meeting.  See  https://goldhilltown.com/what-it-is/  for the present bylaws and see https://goldhilltown.com/bylaws-proposed-changes/   for the proposed changes so far.  We will bring maps of the area to consider any boundary changes for the Town Meeting Area.

Upcoming Meetings/Events

August 13^th, Gold Hill Town Meeting – ELECTIONS!

October 8, Gold Hill Town Meeting – 2019 Budget discussion

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Notes on the GHFPD Board Meeting 6-21-18 by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next board meeting will be Thursday, July 19, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.  Per Rich: This Thursday we should address the cistern tasks related to plumbing, backfilling and last but not least, hydrant location(s)

The meeting was called to order by President Rich Lopez.  Board members Rick Geesaman, Boyd Brown, Jessica Brookhart, and Bobby Vrba attended as well as community members Max and Debra Yeager, Tony Vrba, Rebecca Wilder, Steffi Wilson, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved

Chief’s Report – Chief Chris Finn submitted his report by email, as he was unable to attend.  There have been multiple abandoned campfires that our department has responded to as well as two religious fires.    Now the Sheriff has issued a burn ban and we will only respond after a deputy clears the scene. 

            Chris added that they are concerned about a bad fire season and he encouraged everyone to weed whack their yards out to at least 30’, clear out their gutters, and be careful with all flammables.

Wildfire Partners (WFP)– Tony reported, as Chair of the Town Meeting, that WFP sent out postcards to residents about free wildfire assessments through July 31, which includes two hours of free chipping, as well as free reflective house number signs.  She recommended them – they are really good and see things you don’t and make good recommendations.  She thanked the GHFPD for joining the Town Meeting in becoming partners with WFP. People need to sign up with Virginia Schultz.  Boyd added that he had participated and they are really thorough.

Cisterns – Rich reported that there is a lot of work still to do, but a lot has been accomplished.  This is a tremendous opportunity to work with SEMA engineers who are in the area working on Fourmile reconstruction and can squeeze in our work, saving travel time and money.  This meant we needed to respond right away and he asked that the board ratifiy SEMA’s bid, which they did.  The County permitting process is still wending its way through, but the decision was made by the board to go forward with the project because, as a state agency, they are allowed to.

            They held an outreach meeting last night (June 20) with neighbors of the project to provide information and answer questions. 

            Max reported that SEMA will probably use a track excavator, which will track up the meadow, and dig the holes, planning to situate the tanks endwise east to west.   A trencher will probably be used to dig the trenches to the hydrants, one on Hill Street and one on Grove Street.  The trench to Grove Street will need to be deeper to prevent freezing and will gravity feed.  The Hill Street one will be a dry hydrant and need to be pumped out of.  The people moving the tanks are oil field agency people. Max would backfill the west edge so reclamation could start right away. 

            There are still issues to address – do they bury them with the wheels?  How do they seal up the valves on the tanks?   Who will dig the trenches?  Rich has been working with the chief of Lefthand, who is also installing similar tanks, on all these plans and questions.  They have a list of plumbing and hydrants needed and may go in together to order them. 

            Max reported that it is standard procedure for SEMA to scrape the topsoil and save it for reclamation – stockpile it, screen the excavated dirt for rocks, etc.  He said it will be a mess for a while, but should be a survivable mess that will recover. 

            Rich added that they will keep updates coming to all the affected neighbors. 

Rebecca Wilder sent a letter to the board with concerns raised at the outreach meeting, particularly about revegetation and reclamation.  Rich added her concerns to the agenda to make sure they were addressed.   Don Ash has helped they put together the plans, including grass seed the county likes to use. 

            Jessie reported that her property was revegetated less than a year ago, after their construction, and looks great this year.  Boulder County requires revegetation and the use of the Rocky Mountain mix.  They put the seed down and did drag it and added some Arkansas Valley seed.  They also watered it a lot, beginning with every day for a while and then things began to sprout and they just watered as needed.  Rebecca volunteered to water.  Rich has consulted with Becky Martinek, as well as Bruce Welch and Don Ash about the reclamation.    Both Rebecca and Steffi expressed concerns about ongoing maintenance of the excavation.  Rich assured her that they will take all necessary measures to take care of their responsibility to reclaim the affected area safely and carefully. The town meadow is very important to everyone and they are completely committed to reclaiming it.

            They still have to address exactly how the backfilling will be accomplished as well as how to plumb the tanks and get them filled.  Rich will circle back with Russell, Chief of Lefthand, who has been incredibly helpful.  They will be testing the tanks for any leaks around the valves. 

Boyd added that SEMA has stated they are really trying to be good neighbors and establish a good reputation.  They have been very good to work with.  Additional water supply for firefighting has been in the departments strategic planning for years.  They have installed 3 dry hydrants in Lefthand near the stream and are very excited to be adding this 40,000gallon supply here to help protect the town.

Retirement Plan – Bobby reported that the only changes are that Leslie Jones has let him know the paperwork will not be available until August and is then due in September for the matching funds.

Nobody entertains like MARY RUSSELL!!  Mary will be joined by guitar virtuoso JAMIE POLISHER for a special show at the Pub this Saturday July 14th.  Doors open 5:30 — Music 6-8:00pm. No cover.

THIS WEEK! 

Not too late – Guide the Boulder County Age Well Strategic Plan and speak up for mountain needs THIS Wednesday, 7/11, 12:30-2:30. (For lunch at Noon, RSVP 303-258-0799 – Herb Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato, Salad, Fruit)

Sign up NOW for THIS Friday, 7/13, Salads & Soup Soiree Dinner & Music of Blackdog. 

Guide the County’s Age Well Strategic Plan

Join us on Wednesday, July 11, to speak up regarding the needs of mountain seniors in a Community Conversation with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Manager Sherry Leach as they develop their four year Age Well Strategic Plan. We will address questions from them such as: What helps a person age well?  What are the bigger struggles of aging? What are the priorities in which we should invest our resources? We launch the forum at 12:30pm and will continue the discussion past the lunch hour. We welcome you to join us for lunch at Noon (menu at end of newsletter, please RSVP) or just swing by for the conversation.

Charlie Chaplin Silent Films with Live Trio

Chautauqua’s Silent Film Series continues on Wednesday, July 11, 7:30pm with Charlie Chaplin Comedy (1917 & 1919) with live musical accompaniment by the Silent Cinema Trio.

*The evening begins with his 1917 film “The Cure.” Chaplin goes to a spa to dry out, toting a trunk of liquor with him.

*The second film is “Sunnyside” (1919). In this silent short, Charlie works on a farm from 4:00 a.m. until late at night, so he must get his food on the run. In love with the neighbor’s daughter, Edna, but disliked by her father, he rides a cow into a stream (knocking him unconscious) and devises a plan to get Edna’s attention.

*In “A Day’s Pleasure” (1919), a father takes his family for an outing in their falling-apart Model T Ford, gets in trouble in traffic, and spends the day on a boat.

Running time: “The Cure” (1917), 24 minutes. “Sunnyside” (1919), 48 minutes. “A Day’s Pleasure” (1919), 24 minutes. Total running time: 86 minutes. Location: Chautauqua Festival Hall near 9^th and Baseline.

If we have 10 people sign up we can enjoy a discount, offering a partial refund of the $12 tickets. Please deliver your check to the NAS office or P O Box 188, Nederland CO 80466 by Monday, 7/9, so we can get a big group together to attend at half price.

National Caregiver Training Program

Taking this free course, taught by a registered nurse, has been a great way for family caregivers to learn many of the practical skills they need in one setting. Topics covered include medication management, taking vital signs, wheelchair use, providing bathing and personal assistance, doing lifts and transfers safely, and much more. Caregivers practice skills in class, connect and learn from each other; resource information and an excellent book for home reference are yours to keep.

Thursdays, July 12- August 16, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., located midway between Boulder and Longmont.  

Registration is open to Boulder County residents caring for a relative, partner or friend, who is 60+, or of any age if the person has dementia. No charge; donations welcome. Up to $180 in reimbursement for respite care (substitute elder care during class periods) is available. Registration required, at 303-678-6116 or InfoCaregiver.com.

Book Group

The Book Group meets at a private home on second Thursdays; the next meeting is Thursday, July 12, 6:30pm, and the format is pot luck. Check our Meetup site or call us at 303-258-0799 for info and location. This month’s book is The River of Doubt by Candace Millard.

Featured Event!  Mountain MidLife Dinner & Blackdog

Our Summer Salads and Soup Soiree on Friday, July 13, promises multiple summer dishes to try, along with Delicious Desserts! After dinner, enjoy the solo musical performance of the renowned “Blackdog” Jon Ridnell. Doors open for social at 5:00pm, meal is served at 5:30pm. Please reserve as far in advance as possible at Meetup.com/Mountain-MidLife-Social-Group, by replying to our email, or by phone at 303-258-0799. If you have special dietary needs not already registered with us, please inform us several days in advance. Cost is $10 Adults under age 60 or $5 requested contribution over age 60.

Are you able to communicate in American Sign Language? We have a new participant who communicates in Sign and we would like to help him feel welcome. Please contact our office 303-258-0799 if you can help.

If you can help at the door with greeting/check-in and welcoming/orienting our newest guests, we really appreciate it. We need 3-4 people to handle this each time and need to know several days in advance that we have these positions covered. Please VOLUNTEER to help at these events.

John Stinton Memorial

The family of John Stinton invites his friends to gather on Sunday, July 15, 2:00pm, for a brief memorial and light refreshments at the family cabin at 332 W Spring Street in Nederland.

All ages of adults are welcome at all events, attended mostly by folks over age 50.

Sign up or inquire about events at our voicemail, email, or Meetup site (all listed below).

We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

Serene Karplus, Director

Nederland Area Seniors & Mountain MidLife Social Group

NederlandAreaSeniors@nullgmail.com

www.NederlandAreaSeniors.org

www.Meetup.com/Mountain-MidLife-Social-Group

303-258-0799

Boulder County enacting Level 2 Fire Restrictions

Forecast for hot temperatures and dry conditions has increased fire danger

Boulder County, Colo. – Sheriff Joe Pelle will be enacting Level 2 Fire Restrictions, effective immediately, today, Tuesday, July 10, for western Boulder County. The fire restrictions are being implemented due to increasing fire danger, lack of moisture and the forecast for hot temperatures. We also have seen an increase in recreational activities in western Boulder County during the summer months. In addition, local and regional fire suppression resources have also been committed to large fires in Colorado and across the nation.

The fire restrictions include the mountain areas of Boulder County. The mountain areas include any and all unincorporated areas of the county:

• West of CO Highway 93 (CO-93), from its intersection with the southern boundary of Boulder County until, and including, its intersection with CO Highway 119 (CO-119);
• West of Broadway Avenue in the City of Boulder, from its intersection with CO-119 until, and including, its intersection with US Highway 36 (US-36);
• West of US-36, from its intersection with Broadway Avenue until its intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder County;
• West of the western boundary of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space until, and including, US-36; and;
• All of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space property.

A map depicting the areas of Boulder County affected by the fire ban is included below.

The fire ban PROHIBITS:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on private and public lands. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.
• Fireworks sales, use, and possession, including permissible fireworks.
• Shooting or discharge of firearms for recreational purposes.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
• Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors.
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.

The fire ban ALLOWS:

• Smoking in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
• Shooting or discharge of firearms for hunting, with a valid and current hunting license on public lands.
• Operating a chainsaw with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

For current fire, shooting and developed recreation site restrictions and seasonal closures for USFS properties, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd533597#boulder.

Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class two petty offense, and may be subject to up to a $1,000 fine, in addition to any possible civil penalties. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.

The fire restrictions do not affect open fires within incorporated cities and towns; however, residents and visitors must comply with applicable ordinances and regulations in their respective cities and towns. The fire restrictions will be in effect until Sheriff Pelle finds that the hazardous conditions have subsided.

Colorado state statutes authorize counties to impose fire restrictions “to a degree and in a manner that the Board of County Commissioners deems necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within those portions of the unincorporated areas of the county where the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence.”

For any additional questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me.

Thanks.

Seth A. McKinney

Fire Management Officer – 6561

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office

Fire Management Program

Desk (303) 441-1485

Cell (303) 548-9624

Save the Date: 

Weed Walk ‘n Talk in Town Meadow with NRCS and CSU Extension 

Tuesday July 31 from 1 to 2 pm

 Sylvia Hickenlooper, Soil Conservationist with the Longmont Office of the National Resource Conservation Service (formerly called the National  Soil Conservation Service, it’s under USDA) and Sharon Bokan, CSU Extension Boulder County Small Acreage Management Coordinator, will be leading a walk ‘n talk in the Gold Hill Town Meadow on Tuesday July 31 from 1 to 2 pm. They will ID weeds and plants and respond to any questions you have. 

Meet outside the Store before 1 pm so we can start promptly at 1.

Pam Sherman

 pamsher123@nullgmail.com

Please join us in a celebration to honor Barbara Lawlor and her decades of contributions to the Peak to Peak community

Saturday, July 14, 2018, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Roy’s Last Shot

Acoustic & Unplugged, KATE FARMER and COLIN ROBISON present a sweet Gold Hill evening of Folk, Soul, and Blues at the Pub this Saturday, June 30th.  Doors 5:30, Music 6-8pm. There will be a $5 cover for this event.

Greetings bocce fans-

The sorting hat has worked its magic, yielding the attached starting roster for the upcoming tournament on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Competition begins promptly at 8:00 AM.

Feel free to bring munchies. And contributions are welcome to help pay for the new canopies.

The court was getting pretty dry, so this recent rain should really help the court, so feel free to come on by and roll a few.

See you soon!

Bear   lawrence.carlson@nullColorado.EDU

Come to the Gold Hill General Store and Pub on Friday nights for pizza!  6ish to 9ish.  They are doing dough and sauce from scratch, gluten-free and vegan options available, and they are figuring our some specialty pies and personal size options, too.

Chris Erickson   chriserickson85@nullgmail.com

Gold Hill Town Meeting Agenda

Monday, June 11th, 2018, Community Center

NEW START TIME – 7:00p.m.

6:45 p.m. – Come Early to visit with Guest Presenter: Jenifer with Senior Reach. The mission of Senior Reach is to support the well-being, independence, and dignity of older adults by educating the community, providing care management and mental health services, and connecting older adults to community resources.

Approval of previous Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

 Committee Reports

Gold Hill School:

Forestry/Mitigation: July 23-27^th  Community Mitigation Event

Community Planning:

Weed Committee:

Historic Gold Hill

Historic Zoning

Friends of Fazoo Notes

Mining

Cemetery Committee:

Neighborlink/Safelink/Airlink:

IMA:

Old Business

Move money for Forestry and review updated grant information

Move money for glasses & t-shirt fundraising

Town Portrait update

Town Clean-up

Proposed By-Law Updates

New Business

 Peter Swift to talk on Community Center info

Upcoming Meetings/Events:
June 22^nd– Museum Event

June 23rd – Town Clean Up

July 4^thGHFPD Annual Pancake Breakfast and Parade

July 23-27^th Community Mitigation Event

August 13^thGold Hill Town Meeting Elections

October 8^thGold Hill Town Meeting – 2019 Budget Discussion

Hurry to get your free Wildfire Partners Assessment and 2 free hours of chipping in July!

http://www.wildfirepartners.org/application-form/ Be sure to mention Gold Hill

when signing up!  Email Virginia at arneyschultz@nullhotmail.com to sign up for the

July 23-27 chipping event.

RSVP to TonyVrba@nullgmail.com by June 15th if you will be attending.  THANKS!

Aging Well in Ward (AWIW)

Is hosting a presentation by

Tim Johnson from the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office

On current scams directed at our senior residents:

“Fraudsters and scam artists abound in our modern society. Learn about many of the more common frauds they use and learn about the tools to defend yourself. From charity and contractor fraud, to internet and phone based scams, you will learn about the most common themes used by these criminals and the best way to guard yourself against them.”

When:  Saturday, June 23^rd, 10am to 12pm

Where:  Ward Community Church

Light refreshments will be served

(Carpooling recommended as parking is limited)

You are receiving this announcement as a leader within your community for the senior resident population. We are extending invitations to our mountain neighbors in Four Mile Canyon, Gold Hill, Jamestown and Allenspark.  We would appreciate it if you could post this announcement on any senior support group email lists and/or social media venues in your area.

As we near the event a rough head count of those planning to attend from your community would be helpful in both set up and refreshment preparation. It would be appreciated if you could let us know the anticipated number of attendees from your community by Monday, June 18^th.

GHTM Bylaw & Budget Committee Meeting

questions?  Contact  Tony Vrba, Rick Sheingold, Peter Swift or Gretchen Diefenderfer

Hugh Moore huiusmor@nullgmail.com