GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER
Minutes of the April 11, 2022, Zoom Town Meeting
Next Town Meeting is Monday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Emma Dirolf. Twenty-two people attended by Zoom: Chair Emma Dirolf, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Heidi Kessler and Richard Roth, Peter Swift, Member at Large Dan Maedke and Chrissy, Virginia Schultz, Emily Rose, Val Crist, Deb Yeager, Don and Marie Brookhart, Leslie Finn, Rick Sheingold, Bear Carlson, Lacey Storey, Pam Sherman, plus Maya MacHamer, Erin Fried, and Nathanial Groeckner of Boulder Watershed Collective (https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com/gold-hill-project), as well as Josh Trickey from Boulder County Public Works.
Minutes – The minutes of the December 13 GHTM and the notes from the unofficial (no quorum of the Town Council) February 14 meeting were approved as published.
Treasurer’s Report – no report
Boulder County Speed Study – Josh Trickey presented the data from the Gold Hill Speed Study from last summer.
Presentation_GoldHill_InformationalMeeting_20220407
He reported that the study is not complete because the County is working on new speed management plans and no new traffic calming projects will be approved until their new management plan is approved. Our speed study was conducted in July and August 2021, with speeds recorded at several locations. Between 2014 – 2019 there was only one recorded crash, no injuries, none involving bikes or pedestrians, none speeding related. It looks like our speed limits should stay the same, as the majority were clocked at 15-17 mph.
Peter reported that he has sent a letter to Josh saying that his evaluation of the speed distribution quoted in the study shows a greater need for traffic calming than the study indicates (see Peter’s letter attached). The speeds shown in the County’s distribution map ranged from 12 mph to 40 mph and he quoted a study saying that 90% of people hit by a vehicle at 36 mph die. He requested that we should meet to discuss traffic calming possibilities and potential locations before the final report is approved, but no agreement was reached since Josh doesn’t know until the County Speed Management Plan is complete what kinds of management plans will be included.
There was also a discussion on the classifications for different roads/different uses/local access roads, arterials and connector roads, and whether they should be reclassified or if it would make a difference.
The question arose of the time frame for carrying out final plans and Josh estimated 2 or more years depending on funding.
Chrissy asked about the locations of speed limit signs since the speed limit in town is 15 mph, but there is a 20 mph sign right in front of her house and Josh replied that the 15mph signs will be extended in both directions soon.
Peter agreed to be the contact person for the County. Any questions or suggestions, email Peter at phswi@nullaol.com
Boulder Watershed Collective – Maya reports that no mitigation work is happening yet this year – there is a delay with the contractor finishing another project. Hopefully the Ashram will be well underway in June and July. All the work done last year by the students is available on their website www.boulderwatershedcollective.org Look under projects for our information.
Erin reported that she and Nate attended the Gold Hill School last week in support of their three goals: 1. Support forest health, 2. Monitor wild life and birds, 3. Host community conversations and hikes.
Nate reported that they found 30 species of birds. They have lots of great pictures and also dropped off a copy of the wildlife and bird study at the Gold Hill Store. Dark Eyed Juncos are the most numerous. Maya added that the reason for the wildlife monitoring is to see if the forest wildfire mitigation improves wildlife habitat.
Erin will be hosting a community conversation with a list of action items at the May 7 Mountain Stewards event.
Gretchen added that they’ve done amazing work and thank you so much.
Mountain Stewards – Virginia also thanked Maya, Erin and all. May 7 is National Wildfire Preparedness Day and we are are having a Gold Hill Day of events with funds from a grant from the Community Foundation. The GH Store will be providing free burritos and coffee plus information tables. Sign up for burritos and tours –Gold Hill Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Tickets, Sat, May 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite . Then there will be a tours at 10 and 11 to see what mitigation measures look like, as well as home hardening.
There will be dumpsters for slash on May 7 & 8. AND help is needed for monitoring and loading them.
Julian from the Boulder Watershed Collective is visiting properties to measure for home perimeter that may benefit from grant funding.
Contact Virginia virginia.schultz@nullcolorado.edu with questions.
Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that they are alive and well! Erin and Nate from the Boulder Watershed Collective came to the school and made a presentation. The kids were really psyched to see the pictures of our local wildlife. Pam has been coming weekly to teach about permaculture and help with the greenhouse. Val has been visiting and reading. They are so happy to be able to open their doors again and encourage people to stop by.
They will have a read-a-thon the last week in April and the kids will be coming around asking for donations. It’s 4 days of reading and related activities.
They have chicks and ducks incubating and candled a duck egg to see the tiny duckling inside!
There will be a teacher change. Gaye Paxton is retiring and selling her house, maybe moving to Pueblo, and plans to ride her motorcycle a lot. Possibly Jojo may be applying!
May 26 is the last day of school.
IMA – Pam reports that she follows two main committees: 1.Communications/CenturyLink regarding battery back-up life and line installation problems. Steve Silverman at the County has promised to help, but no progress yet. 2. Monitoring Representative Joe Neguse about preparedness, mitigation and grants for our area. Questions or if you’d like to help with these committees: pamsher123@nullgmail.com
Maya added that all our Congressional representatives: Joe, Senator Michael Bennett, plus Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior were in Boulder County today (the 11th) to meet with our local Fire-Rescue Division Chief Brian Oliver and Wildfire Operations Specialist Erin
Doyl to look at the NCAR Fire and meet at Heil Valley Ranch. They announced Federal funds of $18 million for fire mitigation for the Front Range for 2022. Leslie said this also came up at the BCFFA (Boulder County Fire Fighters Association) meeting today, so all the work we’ve been doing puts us in a good position for some of this funding.
Museum – Deb reports that the board met last weekend and will open Saturday, May 28 through Memorial Day. They will go back to their 11 am to 4 pm schedule on weekends. They could use help with some maintenance work: the fence, deck floor, and painting. The Friends of the Museum helps. Tentative work days are Saturday, May 21, Thursday May 26, and Friday, May 27. Any interest in helping, please contact us. Or, if you can work other days, we can work that out, too.
Community Outreach will be Friday, July 1 – more information to follow.
Community Planning and Fundraising – Dan reports that in general conversation with Chrissy, they think it’s time for an event in Gold Hill again. The Gold Rush and Bake Sale? Maya has a potential idea, also. The Boulder Watershed Collective is planning the race again on June 18th. This was the event that initiated early funds for Wildfire Mitigation. It will start and finish at the Ranch. They will need help with lunch, etc., and some of the money could go to the town. Dan and Maya will be talking about these plans. He also reminded us that he wants to step down from the Member at Large position at the election in August.
Cemetery – no report
SafeLink/NeighborLink – Deb reports that they haven’t done anything more on this for this year, but there is real concern regarding the drought/fire danger/activity in the forest. So, reach out to your neighbors to talk preparedness. We can get information to people regarding emergencies in addition to Reverse 9-1-1, etc.
AirLink – Pam reports that they are going strong. Contact her or Dina Elder if you’re interested in joining the Ham Radio Group. It’s a wonderful group.
Historic Zoning – no report, per Bear, except that we are now 2 months more historic than last meeting :o)
Fire Department – Leslie reports that they are definitely doing the 4th of July pancake breakfast and parade (depending on the new variant). She also reminded everyone to sign up for Everbridge (the County’s Reverse 9-1-1). Go to the Office of Emergency Management https://www.boulderoem.com
and click on Emergency Messages on the right https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/login to receive messages about imminent threats and hazards by text message, email, and/or on your cell, home or work phone.
The BCFFA is looking to do emergency texting eventually.
People have asked about sirens, but unless there is voice messaging also (as in the Boulder system) people wouldn’t know what it was for or what to do. They still, always, need volunteers. The 131/190 refresher course will be required and courses are offered frequently. The fence thing came up – wooden fences can act as a fuse from the forest to the house – think stone walls. Regarding evacuations, the Police and Sheriffs generally deal with this, fire departments can help if they are not actively firefighting, and fellow citizens are the #1 way people get information. Life safety is always our #1 priority. Accessibility, mitigation, and helping neighbors is critical.
Deb added a comment on landlines. When high speed internet came to Gold Hill, we were told that we only have 4 hours of battery backup, but it’s still worth having a land line and an old plug in phone (which will work if your personal electricity is out). Regarding officers being here during an evacuation, NeighborLink can help. Be aware of your neighbor’s situation and give that information to the officers.
Other News – Emma reports that, like Dan, she wants to step down from the Town Council. We will need a new Chair in August.
Calendar – Gretchen asked Chrissy to please get school kids’ artwork to the calendar committee.
They’re wonderful artists and it’s so great in the calendar!
Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary
Peter Swift’s letter regarding the Speed STudy
Traf study ltr
