GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the Monday, August 9, 2021 Town Meeting by Zoom

Next Town Meeting will be Monday October 11, 7:00 P.M. by Zoom

The meeting was called to order by Chair Emma Dirolf.  Twenty-one people attended via Zoom: Emma, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Boyd Brown, Kirah and Sebastian Combelic, Lacey Story, Leslie Finn, Marielle Sidell, Michael Wollard, Pam Sherman, Peter Swift, Sarah O’Brien and Sam Bennett, Val Crist, Virginia Schultz, Joanne Cole, Member at Large Dan Maedke and Crissy Maedke, Rick Sheingold, Emily Rose, and Treasurer Martha Knapp. Please let me know if I missed anyone.

Minutes – Gretchen heard from Karen Simmons about unknown acronyms in the June minutes. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it’s changed in the minutes.  With that addition, the minutes were accepted as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha submitted her report:

At the previous regular Town Meeting in June 2021 our bank balance was $16,725.90. Our current total cash assets are $45,455.10.

Revenue Summary: $29,422 Comm. Foundation Fire Mitigation grant, $1360 town cleanup donations, $50 food bank donation totaling $30,832.

Expense Summary: $361.16 Cemetery supplies, $1339 town cleanup, $347.64 web hosting, $55 office supplies totaling $2102.80.

Fund transfers: none.

Current fund totals by earmarked account:
General Fund $2939.80; Cemetery $244.05; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $2516.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $300; Fire Mitigation Grant $29422.00; Community Relief Fun $2,375.20; COVID-19 Response Fund $1,057.26; Water Harvesting/Ag Education Grant $4,000.

Anticipated general fund and other expenses for the remainder of 2021
Total $2300 as follows: $350 for liability insurance; $200 website maintenance, $1600 for fundraising expenses; and $150 for additional misc. expenses including bank fees and port- a-potty maintenance.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING, INC. TREASURER’S REPORT
August 9, 2021
Activity Spreadsheet and Summary
DATE	ACTIVITY / DESCRIPTION	Earmark ACCT	CREDITS	DEBITS	BALANCE
	Report Balance Forward				$ 16,725.90
21-Jun	ck# 1300: MSimms for cemetery supplies	CF		$ 361.16	$ 16,364.74
22-Jun	deposit: CommFndtn Grant for Fire Mitigation Activities	FM	$ 29,422.00		$ 45,786.74
4-Jul	deposit: Town Cleanup Donations	GF	$ 1,360.00		$ 47,146.74
15-Jul	ck#1301 Western Disposal – cleanup	GF		$ 1,339.00	$ 45,807.74
24-Jul	deposit: SWilson donation – food bank	SL	$ 50.00		$ 45,857.74
8-Aug	ck#1302 GDiefenderfer for webhosting bill	GF		$ 347.64	$ 45,510.10
9-Aug	ck#1303 USPS coil of stamps	GF		$ 55.00	$ 45,455.10
					$ 45,455.10
	Ending Balance	Total	$ 30,832.00	$ 2,102.80	$ 45,455.10
	BALANCES / ACTIVITY by Account	Beginning	Credits	Debits	Ending Balance
GF	General Fund	$ 3,321.44	$ 1,360.00	$ 1,741.64	$ 2,939.80
CF	Cemetery Fund	$ 3,205.21	$-	$ 361.16	$ 2,844.05
SL	Safe Link (SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink)	$ 2,466.79	$ 50.00	$-	$ 2,516.79
CP	Community Planning/Fundraising	$ 300.00	$-	$-	$ 300.00
FM	Fire Mitigation Grant Fund fka Forest Mgmt	$-	$ 29,422.00	$-	$ 29,422.00
CRF	Community Relief Fund	$ 2,375.20	$-	$-	$ 2,375.20
COV	COVID-19 Response Fund	$ 1,057.26	$-	$-	$ 1,057.26
H2O	Water Harvest/Ag Education Grant	$ 4,000.00	$-	$-	$ 4,000.00
	TOTAL	$ 16,725.90	$ 30,832.00	$ 2,102.80	$ 45,455.10

 

 

ELECTIONS – Emma asked Gretchen to run the elections as she had not done it before. 

Chair – Nominations for Chair were called for.  Dan nominated Emma, Mari seconded, and Emma agreed to run. Further nominations were called for, but were not forthcoming and Emma was elected by acclamation to cheers all around.

Vice Chair – Mari expressed her thanks for being allowed to serve as vice-chair, but added that she cannot do it anymore as she will be writing her dissertation and nominated Sarah O’Brien, seconded by Gretchen.  No further nominations were heard and Sarah was elected by acclamation.  

Secretary – Gretchen announced that, if anyone else wanted to be secretary, she would be happy to step down. Dan nominated Joanne who responded with a resounding no!  Mari seconded Gretchen’s nomination and as there were no more nominations, Gretchen was elected by acclamation.

Treasurer – Martha said that she enjoyed her years as treasurer, but respectfully declined to run again.  Emma said that Rick Sheingold had expressed an interest some time ago and nominated him.  Val seconded. Martha saw him walking by her house and called him in to join the meeting.  Rick stated that he was starting to get very  busy and can’t accept at this time.  No further nominations could be elicited.  Martha was asked if she would continue until we could find another candidate, but she said no. She pointed out that it’s a lot of responsibility on top of keeping the books.  There are reports to file with the Feds and the State, plus numbers to pull for grants. Mari said that she would volunteer to function as the interim treasurer until we can find someone willing and able.  Everyone agreed to look for another candidate, who could be approved by the Council post-election.

Member at Large – Dan would like to step down.  Mari had sent an email to Marcus Moench asking if he would be interested, but he said only if no one else would agree.   Mari nominated Marcus and Dan seconded.  Duties: Fundraising, including buying t-shirts and glasses, bake and rummage sales in the past.  Dan is willing to assist a new Member at Large.  Sebastian expressed an interest.  Dan nominated Sebastian, Emma seconded, and a vote was held.  The vote was 16 to 2 in favor of Sebastian.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mountain Stewards – Virginia reports that Maya MacHamer is working with Mountain Stewards on the Wildfire Week, date TBD.  She also announced events:  Gold Hill Observe and Sketch Nature Walk, August 14 from 8:30 to 10:00 am, and Conversation about all things Fire on August 28^th – contact The Watershed Collective (erin.bloulderwatershedcollective.org) – Emails to be forthcoming. 

 

Forestry and Forest Management – Virginia reports that the mitigation project should be starting soon.  She attended a forestry nature walk that was good and well attended.  Val asked how the $29,000 grant money is to be spent, but Virginia replied that it’s early stages yet and not decided.

 

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reported that School starts Wednesday, the 18^th.  There are three new kindergartners – Wilder, Ezra and Gabriel!  Sue has retired after 12 years and everyone wishes her well.  They have a one year assigned teacher, Gaye Paxton from Ward, and will be looking for a new full-time teacher for the following year.  They are anxiously awaiting the BVSD recommendations to the School Board and then they will have a better idea of what school will look like.  They are hoping to have Pam Sherman in school who is working on permaculture and working with the kids along with Steve and Dina.  They haven’t done any fundraising since the pandemic.

 

Museum – Gretchen reports the 2022 calendars are out and for sale at the GH Store, the Inn, the Red Store, and from Marie.  Boyd reports that the board has decided to require masks in the Museum.  Things are going really well.  The evolution of outhouses exhibit has been interesting for people.  Coming back from COVID has meant things are always in flux, but it’s turning out to be a good year.

 

Community Fund Raising – Dan is happy to work with Sebastian. Wondering if people will be able/want to gather in a large group, possibly with masks.  Sebastian said the Bake Sale has always been wonderful.  They will consider the options.  Gretchen added that she would really like to see the bake/rummage/craft sale come together if possible.

 

Cemetery – no report

 

Community Center – Gretchen reported that the 909 Pine investors are really interested to see the survey results.  Mari said that the results have been released to the committee (39 pages),  and there seems to be quite a lot of interest in a Gold Hill town space – they got 97 responses.  Now the committee has to schedule a time  to meet soon and get the info out asap.  The 909 people would like that in order to figure out how to move on.  They originally set a time frame of knowing the desires of the town within a year, and if it amounts to selling it, good weather would be a better time.  They bought it kind of precipitously because it seemed to be a good deal and could possibly serve the community, but, if the decision is no, they would like to sell it to some young people in town.  They’ll have to figure out how choose who that might be without starting a bidding war and driving the price way up.  The intention is to get  an appraisal to give them a better starting place.

 

SafeLink/NeighborLink/AirLink – Deb reports that NeighborLink is moving along getting its ducks in a row for communications in case of emergency.  AirLink – Pam reports that it’s really a robust, active group.  They meet weekly on Ham radios.  They’d like more people to join – it’s a great way to know what’s going on in an emergency.  Let Dina know if you’re interested or have questions.  Deb recommended that Dina put out a notice.  Pam said there is a technician class coming up.

 

Weed Management – Pam reported that she and Virginia are meeting with Maya about bringing goats to Gold Hill in a well-managed way – that’s a complicated conversation.  Anyone who would like to join the conversation, please contact Pam or Virginia. Mari asked of homeowners can rent goats.  25 years Loni Lanning (?) was here and is now is now in the biggest goat weed management business.

 

Historical Zoning –  no report

 

Fire Department – Leslie reported that trainings continue.  Addendum – Three new volunteers all took the 130/190 Basic Wildland course and passed with flying colors: Jay Clark, Mike McNett, and Danielle Maida.  Kudos! They have had a number of calls and really need more volunteers – particularly medical volunteers: EMRs or EMTs.  There is an EMR class scheduled for the end of September to December.  Some of it will be online plus Saturdays hands-on.  They had one campfire call and the Sheriff was there responding.  Some other areas are closed and they know we’re impacted. Emily asked if it’s possible to close Rocky Point to fires.  Leslie said it’s possible for the community to petition, but that has previously gone nowhere.  Roads 453 and 456 are on the Forest Service docket to put in rings and close off the tiny places, decreasing the fire spots from 40 to 20.  Joanne added that the Fire Ban is being lifted as of tomorrow.

 

Speed Study – Emma reports that the County has finished the study and we’re supposed to hear results within the next couple of weeks – she hasn’t been able to get an update or information yet. She will send out info out to the town as soon as she gets any. She has seen some awesome “Children at Play” signs.  Leslie noticed people parking on both sides of streets and wonders about more permanent signs saying parking on one side only.  The Fire Department puts up temporary ones on the Fourth of July.  Kris reported on a good “Kids on Bikes” signs on Lickskillet.  Chrissy put out a wagon with signs – we have like 10 kids near the crossroads and several people are trying to figure out what to put out.  Martha saw a box near the corner by her house and thought it was probably the speed study equipment. Deb noticed that when there are a lot of people in town, they start parking in front of mailboxes, too.  Also, there is high grass interfering with visibility at the corner of Prospect and Main. 

Peter added that when they did the original study, he requested that the County hold a public meeting, but that never came about.  He did think the surreptitious box Martha spoke about was perfect.  Chrissy wondered about having a 4-way stop at the crossroads.  Peter replied that the County uses the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, so there is an actual formal process, based on volume, speed, etc. to decide. 

            Mari said that events and businesses draw traffic.  Could we request that business people having events send out info on parking? Leslie said that the Inn has a request on their website for people to park responsibly.   Deb asked about suggesting parking down Fourmile on one side and cones in front of mailboxes. Emma suggested that maybe our new vice-chair could meet with business owners about parking issues and Sarah said she will do it!

            Chrissy said that Rick Sheingold has a new electric weed whacker and could maybe weed whack the corners?  Peter replied that weeds in the County right of way are their responsibility and we should contact them.  Val pointed out that we should talk to our neighbors first.  Boyd agreed that we should check with owners of the property and said that he could do some weed whacking, too.  Kris G is also ready to weed whack.

            Gretchen pointed out that when cars park all up Horsfal, two cars cannot pass.  Someone has to back up until they can  pull into someone’s driveway!  It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Emma asked Leslie if the fire department has cones.  Not really – only a few on the trucks.  She added that when she was Mayor, the County put up signs limiting parking and she thought the law said no parking some number of feet from an intersection.  Also, people often seem to ignore legal signs – she was 20 bicyclists blow right through the stop sign on the west end of town

Emma summarized that obviously parking issues are a big concern for all of us and:                    

1) We need to get the County report

2) We need to talk to the business owners

3) People with cones , please put them out

Chrissy added that we also don’t want to pollute the town with signs – cones work – maybe the town meeting could purchase some.

            Peter suggested that maybe we should have a special town meeting with the county traffic engineers and roads people about all these issues and trouble spots.  Emma suggested that we could vote on buying cones, but Sebastian volunteered that they have 7 they could lend.

 

Town Clean Up – Gretchen reported that it went well, rain and all.  Lots of people helped and it was very much appreciated.  We ended up getting two dumpsters by mistake, but we filled them up and people donated enough to pay for them!  Some generous people donated to help cover people who couldn’t.  Our community spirit at work is a wonderful thing.

 

Wildfire Mitigation Week – Timing still to be determined.  We have grants for this year and possibly next near, too. Please reach out if you are interested in planning or have questions.

 

Fire Ban Over – Emma pointed out that everything is drying out – don’t forget to clean out gutters, weed whack, clear vegetation around dwellings.

 

Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary