Posted on: May 10th, 2021

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the April 12, 2021 Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, June 14, 2021, 7:00 p.m. by Zoom

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Emma Dirolf.  Twenty people attended: Emma, Vice-Chair Marielle Sidell, Boyd Brown, Leslie Finn, Richard Roth, Heidi Kessler, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Marcus Moench, Elisabeth Caspari, Member-at-large Dan Maedke, Emily Rose, Peter Swift, Val Crist, Virginia Schultz, Dina Elder, Kent Coghill, Danielle Maida, Bear Carlson, Poppy Copeland, and Jessica Brookhart.

Minutes of the 2-8-21 meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Emma read Martha Knapp’s report submitted by email:

At the previous regular Town Meeting in February 2021 our bank balance was $17,031.32 Our current total cash assets are $16,725.90.

Revenue Summary: none
Expense Summary: $305.42 rom the General Fund for property taxes and report filing fees. Fund transfers: none.

Current fund totals:
General Fund $3321.44; Cemetery $3,205.21; Safe Link (combined funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $2,466.79; Community Planning/Fundraising $300; Forest Management $0 (zero); Community Relief $2,375.20; COVID-19 Response $1,057.26; Water Harvesting/Ag Education Grant $4,000.

Anticipated general fund and other expenses for 2021
$3795 as follows: $1250 for taxes, insurance, report filings, bank fees, office supplies; $525 for website hosting and maintenance, $795 for Town Cleanup; $1600 for fundraising expenses; and $150 for additional misc. expenses.

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING, INC. TREASURER’S REPORT
April 12, 2021
Activity Spreadsheet and Summary
DATE	ACTIVITY / DESCRIPTION	Earmark ACCT	CREDITS	DEBITS	BALANCE
	Report Balance Forward				$ 17,031.32
22-Mar	ck# 1239: BOCO Treasurer for 2020 property taxes	GF		$ 69.42	$ 16,961.90
22-Mar	ACH: State of Colorado for Exempt Property Tax Reports + processing fee	GF		$ 226.00	$ 16,735.90
22-Mar	ck#1240: Colorado Annual Report Filing	GF		$ 10.00	$ 16,725.90
	Ending Balance	Total	$-	$ 305.42	$ 16,725.90
	BALANCES / ACTIVITY by Account	Beginning	Credits	Debits	Ending Balance
GF	General Fund	$ 3,626.86	$-	$ 305.42	$ 3,321.44
CF	Cemetery Fund	$ 3,205.21	$-	$-	$ 3,205.21
SL	Safe Link (SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink)	$ 2,466.79	$-	$-	$ 2,466.79
CP	Community Planning/Fundraising	$ 300.00	$-	$-	$ 300.00
FM	Forest Management	$-	$-	$-	$-
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	$ 17,031.32	$-	$ 305.42	$ 16,725.90

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mountain Stewards – Virginia reported on a webinar with Maya MacHamer of the Boulder Watershed Collective (interesting fact – Colorado is a total headwater state – all our rivers only flow out), along with Avery Ellis, who spoke about water issues, and Julie Morris from DU who talked about pollinators.  There were 25 participants including students.  All support biodiversity as well as wildfire mitigation and restoration.  Cat Russell is working on renewable energy.  She is in touch with a non-profit in Denver working on bulk purchasing for solar collectors and battery storage. There is a lot of movement happening around renewables and lots of rebate programs look to be renewed.  The EV charging station is on hold for now.

Marcus reported on water harvesting.  They plan on a rain barrel water harvesting event in early May to get rain barrels to people who want them.  Avery Ellis will come up for it.  They’re looking into grants and have written two to the Community Foundation (CF) – one for the fire mitigation event and another for the water harvesting one.  They’re also supporting planting Aspen because they’re fire resistant, and are tied into Maya’s big mitigation project.  The CF grant supports fuel clearing, chipping, slash removal, and big town clean up days.  There will be some financial support for crews to help people.

Jessica Brookhart reported that the Fire Department is working on fire preparedness including a heat sensing drone to identify unattended campfires, etc., and an ATV to get to fires more quickly.  They did some drone testing last week and were happy with how quickly they could get to  various locations.  They’re awaiting news of grants.  There is a possible big grant opportunity from the State Forest Service, but it’s reimbursement based, so they’re not sure.

Virginia got in touch with the fire liaison at Boulder Mountain Fire about their mapping system and aps and sent emails around to Jess, etc.,  They are happy to talk to anyone about it.

 

Gold Hill School – Dan said there is not a lot to report.  They are not doing the usual big events like the school play because of the pandemic and so are just trucking along.  The kids had their first day outside without their masks and they loved it.

 

Museum – Boyd reported that since they were not open last summer, they have rolled some exhibits over to this year.  They aren’t sure exactly what will be happing, but are planning outdoor and indoor exhibits – rotating small groups through – scheduling as people come in at 15 minutes in each place, which is about typical.  They have a planning meeting soon – maybe will only be open one weekend day – TBD. For the outside exhibit, Paul and Ania have built an outhouse by the ore bucket – it’s informative and funny – and there are other new exhibits inside.  Every year they do maintenance – painting and cleaning – and if anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Deb Yeager – they would love the help. Will probably happen the third week in May.   The plan is to open Memorial Day unless there is somehow a big spike in COVID.

 

Community Planning and Fundraising – Dan reported he’s exchanged emails with Josh and the Gold Rush Bike Rally is happening on September 19.  130 have registered already.  They don’t know exactly what the COVID restrictions might be, but Dan thinks, on the Gold Hill side, we should take a step back and maybe just have a booth for beer, merchandise, and food?  Depends.  He will be ordering glasses.  Virginia asked if Maya is still trying to do the running event.  Dan isn’t sure of the timing or of where it may start – maybe west of town near the Ranch?  His plan is to try to be open to eventualities and support these events still depending on COVID.

 

Cemetery – no report

 

Community Center – Mari reports there has been a lot of back and forth on how to engage the community.  They have come up with an all-inclusive survey covering what people want, what it would look like, where it should be, and how it would be used.  A draft is circulating among the committee and they hope to get it out soon.  Marcus reports that Denver plans to move from 900 Pine to Jamestown mid-May.

 

SafeLink/NeighborLink/Foodbank/Emergency Preparedness/Communication/Weed Management – no report

 

Historic Zoning – Bear reports that Emma and Chris are planning to re-side their place.  They plan cement board in the same style – straightforward – approved.  Also, Steve Barnard, who has been a strong contributor to the Board as well as Boulder County Historic Preservation, is leaving Gold Hill.  He will be missed.  They will need another member – the only qualifications are living in Gold Hill and being interested.  Contact Bear.

 

Fire Department – Leslie reports that Dave Wilson is their newest officer – he’s the truck officer.  They are always looking for new volunteers.  Firefighters need the 131/190 Wildfire course, work safety and leadership courses.  Training is mostly by Zoom right now, but they have been doing some small truck trainings, too.  There are still some people not vaccinated, so they are still observing the strictest protocols – no in person trainings inside, just outside .  There is still concern about the variants so we need more people vaccinated before relaxing any protocols.

 

Speed Study – Emma reports that the county is getting ready to hire a couple of traffic interns for the summer to do counts, but waiting for warmer weather to begin.  Do we have any signs missing?  It seems like there are very few around town.  If so, they will be replaced according to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  If all signs are intact, they will wait until after the speed study so signage doesn’t compromise the data.

 

Campers Concerns – Here is an email from Chief Chris Finn in response to Emma’s concern that campers west of town have the potential to increase risk of wildfires, attract animals due to food and waste, and can present the issue of improperly disposed of waste materials:

I had a conversation with Jared Smith Recreation Officer from Boulder Ranger District in regards to dispersed camping areas west of Gold Hill.

 

 

This year they are trying to get stage 1 fire restrictions to start Memorial Day and go past Labor Day to cut down on the usage of campsites. They are working with the county to possibly get jail crews to help with cleanup (the rec. crew consists of only 3 personnel).

Camping is limited to 14 days within any continuous 30-day period. at any location within the same 20-mile radius. For complaints for trash or staying past 14 days, get license plate number if possible and contact:

Boulder Ranger District

2140 Yarmouth Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 541-2500

Illegal campfires are still the responsibility of Boulder County Sheriff, with fines up to $5,000.00 and up to 6 months in jail.

Chief Finn

 

Mailboxes – Mari wondered who and how mailboxes get fixed that get damaged.  Gretchen is pretty sure that we’re responsible for our mailboxes.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

Summer Wildfire Mitigation – Monday, April 19 – GHTM & GHFPD in partnership presented Abby Silver of Wildfire Partners and Maya MacHamer of the Boulder Watershed Collective speaking on the importance of wildfire mitigation from greater landscape scale down to individual property.  Topics included: forest health, ecological benefits of mitigation and fire, environmental sensitivity, creating defensible space, and home hardening on larger mountain parcels and in the more “urban” setting of Gold Hill, as well as touching on issues around homeowner’s insurance.

 

Town Clean Up Day – Date proposed – the last weekend in June – Addendum – it looks like we’ve settled on Saturday, the 26^th.  More info to follow

 

Wildfire Mitigation Week – Date TBD – Dumpsters for slash, equipment, and skilled crews available to assist Gold Hill residents with wildfire mitigation on your property!  Leslie added that in the Wildland Refresher Course, there are a gazillion videos re risks, etc., and in one town in Washington State, they do a whole mitigation week and have a big banner.  She would like it to be big here, too.  Bear suggested that we could get a banner and put up flagpoles at the intersection to use for that and other town events.

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary