Posted on: September 29th, 2026

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

 Minutes of the August 10, 2026, Gold Hill Town Meeting

 Next Regular Meeting will be Monday, October 12, 2026, 7:00 pm in person at the Community Center and by Zoom.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Kelly Veit. Present were Kelly, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Dave Brigham, Boyd Brown and Vice Chair Kaitlyn Barthell.  Attending by Zoom were Rich Scheingold, Val Crist, Deb Yeager, Maggie Simms, Steffi Wilson, Kris Hill, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes – Martha moved we approve the minutes of the July meeting, Dave seconded and the minutes were approved

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reports our balance was $16,712 in June.  Action since than includes expenses of $30 for a mailing list of property data from Boulder County, expenses of $1449 for the Town Clean Up, but $1555 was donated, so we actually made money – thank you all for your contributions.  Community Events fund is currently $2,216. Donations to the Cemetery Fund were $300, so that total is now $3948.06.  Our current balance is $17,988.01. 

Kelly asked about proceeds from the Sunset Trail Run.  Martha left a message with the Watershed Collective group.  Kelly will follow up.

Kelly asked about our survey of town properties.  Boyd reported that Dave Wilson has done a recent survey and needs to remark boundaries.  There has been some dispute about boundaries with adjacent property owner, Jeff Fishbaugh.   Martha moved we ask Dave Wilson if he is willing to formalize the survey and mark the boundaries and what his cost would be.  Boyd seconded and the motion passed 11-0.

Welcome Buckets – Deb asked about funding of welcome buckets.  She’s created 12 and distributed 11 of those – a lot more new residents recently – and has spent approximately $165 to $170.  They include gifts – the Museum, Inn, and Store contribute items and Nancy Mason donates her ornaments – and town information She asked if we want to continue and will fund this effort.  Rick moved that we reimburse De for her expenses and add a line item for $100 per year in the GHTM budget, subject to annual review.  Boyd seconded and the vote was unanimous in favor.

Bylaw Review: Article II: Membership, Section A. Eligibility – up for final vote.  The wording previously approved:

All residents, excluding campers and house sitters, who have resided in the GHTM defined area for 60 days, and all homeowners within the Gold Hill Fire Protection District who are over the age of 18 are members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting and have voting rights.  Each member is entitled to cast one vote on any issue that requires a vote by the GHTM membership, regardless of the number of properties owned.

Val moved that we approve this wording, David seconded and it was approved.  Nine voted in favor, no one opposed, and there were 3 abstentions.

Community Survey – Kelly reported a preliminary update, which will be triple validated.  They’ve received approximately 60 responses and developed a template for tabulating and are asking for more help.  It was distributed to people in town, the subdivision, and put out in the newsletter.  The game plan is to categorize, summarize, and put in all comments.  Plan to have results before the September meeting.  This current Business Committee is now done.  If a group wants to continue, they will need to organize. The parking/signage issues will sit with the Chief and the Fire Department.

ELECTIONS

Our annual elections commenced with nominations for Chair.  Val nominated Kelly and Maggie seconded.  There were no further nominations, Kelly agreed to serve and she was elected by acclimation. 

Vice Chair – Kaitlyn was nominated, but she declined and no one else in attendance was persuaded.  Gretchen reported that the bylaws said that officers serve one-year terms or until a new member is elected and that if an officer resigns, a quorum of the Council shall appoint someone.  Upon receiving a formal resignation from Kaitlyn, we will be looking for a new Vice Chair – be thinking, you all!

Secretary – Kelly nominated Gretchen, who is willing to continue for one more year, would be happy to mentor someone to take over next year, and needs others to help with the website.  She was elected by acclamation

Treasurer – Gretchen nominated Martha, who agreed to serve and, in the absence of further nominations, she was also elected by acclamation.

Member at Large – traditionally the main duty is fundraising, principally the fall Gold Rush (bake, rummage and crafts sale) with the help of the previous MaL and lots of volunteers.   John Hatlelid, our current MaL, sent an email letting us know that his work has taken him out of town a lot and he’s concerned that he can’t do a good enough job.  He might resign if he can find someone to fill the position, but his work travel may let up.  With no nominations, John will continue for now.

Thanks to all for serving!  It’s a wonderful old traditional Town Meeting we have.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Historic Zoning – no report

Cemetery – no report

Weeds – Kaitlyn reports they’ve had some fun workshops.  5,000 beetles were released to eat the leafy spurge in the subdivision.  They got approval from the homeowners, and they die out when the spurge dies out.

Senior Alliance – Val reports that they sponsored Kaitlyn’s workshops and will now be scaling back informational meetings re: aging place and having more social gatherings.

SafeLink, AirLink, NeighborLink – Deb reports looking out for anyone in our newer residents to be inspired to join up and help further our emergency response abilities. Dina and Mark Elder are still leading out AirLink/Ham Radio group.

Fire Department/Mitigation – Boyd reports that the volunteer mitigation team has been doing a ton of mitigation work.  The town work has been done by the Fourmile Mit. Group and lots of chipping accomplished through Wildfire Partners.  The large grants are now playing out – one will be over the end of September, but another will go for one more year – most of the money has been spent.  They’re now gearing up for firewood for fall – get ahold of Boyd or Kris Gibson if interested.  Kort and Amy have been working with Xcel and have done a lot privately down at the bottom of Lickskillet.

Museum – Deb reports they’ve been plugging away.  Boyd added that they’re doing a fundraiser on Bocce Day for the bus restoration – looking to raise $10,000 total (quite a bit has been raised already), and the bus will be at the tournament.

Mountain Stewards – no report.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS – Martha reports the Gold Hill School starts Wednesday

Fall Bocce Tournament – Saturday, September 5 will include the fundraiser for the Museum’s bus restoration project, and the bus will be on display.

Next GH Town Meeting will be Monday, October 12

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer.  Thanks also to Martha for taking  good notes as she was present and I Zoomed in.

 

Please let me know if you know someone who would like to be on our Newsletter list.  Also let me know if you would no longer like to be on the list.  Find lots of town news and events on our website  (goldhilltown.com)