Posted on: March 20th, 2012

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the February 13, 2012 Town Meeting 

Next Town Meeting is Monday, April 9, 2012, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Amy Hardy.  Seven people attended: Member at Large Debra Yeager, Carolyn Oxley, Kurtis Leverentz, Chair Amy Hardy, Chrissy McCaul, Treasurer Adriana Galue, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes  of the December meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Adriana reminded everyone that the complete town finances are posted on the town website (https://goldhilltown.com/) under Community Info.  Current balances on the town funds:

Fire Fund                        12,981.00            Cemetery Fund            3,562.20

General Fund                          3,627.70            Planning                             82.00

Forest Mgmt                               75.20            Weed Mgmt                           526.70

Historical Zoning                    11.20            Trails                                          31.20

Total   $20,897.30.  Principal activity included proceeds and expenses for the t-shirt fund, a donation of $247.89 from the Hatch Foundation benefit, and the Boulder County chipping grant of $4,000 was deposited and then paid out to the recipients along with the $3,000 GHTM grant.

Adriana brought up that we are sitting on this 20,897.30 in our account with few planned expenditures, and she has talked to the bank.  Money market funds basically make no interest.  She wonders if we should consider putting some of these funds in some kind of Growth Fund?  It was decided to put this on the agenda for the next meeting.

Amy brought up the prospect of a Community Garden as a possible project.  She sat down with Chris Frey, who is majoring in horticulture and suggested he and Sean Brigham put together a business plan for a GHTM grant.  It would require local support and leadership.  She felt like this could be a good use of the Fire Fund.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Planning/Trails – no report

Historical Zoning –  no report

Forest Management – Kurtis reported that he and Matt may be cutting trees on Rick Schmidt’s portion of the meadow.

Fire Department – Deb and Gretchen plan to attend the February Fire Board Meeting on the 16^th.  Board elections are scheduled for May 8^th.  Addendum: Since there were no more nominees than positions open, the election has been cancelled.

Weed Mgmt. – no report

Historic Gold Hill – The first 2013 calendar meeting will be March 12, 11 am at Marilyn’s.  We’re looking for people who want to be on the committee, ideas, photos, drawings, poems, etc.  Addendum: Next calendar meeting will be April 16^th at Gretchen’s.

Mining – no report – no mining happening at this time.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that Feb. 29, March 1, and March 2 the school is having a Read-a-thon.  The kids will be out looking for pledges and all proceeds will go to the Ranch.  Also, Thursday, March 22 is the Spring Play.  They are looking for help with the music.  State Testing started today.

OLD BUSINESS 

Amy went to the Capital for the hearing on the House Bill to improve Insurance coverage.  Only 4 people got to testify and apparently the Insurance Companies shot it down.

Amy has written a blog and will post current information at bouldercountyresources.org

Amy announced that the County and United Way will be holding another workshop this Spring on Insurance Preparedness.  The last one got a lot of response and seemed to be helpful to a lot of people.

Adriana has put Historical Zoning information on the website under Community Info.  Regarding the Website, we have been hiring Angela for most of our website needs at $65.00 per hour.  Adriana can do much of the general updating herself and her rate would be $25.00/hours for non-profits like us.  She would still use Angela as a resource for more complicated needs.  Deb moved that For basic updating, we hire Adriana at $25.00 per hour.  Caroline seconded and it was approved unanimously.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy added that the School still doesn’t have a custodian to do cleaning, shoveling, minor maintenance.  She has been doing most of it and hopes to find someone soon.

NEW BUSINESS

Amy announced that March 1 at 7pm at the Community Center we will have a Fourmile Fire Recovery Meeting.  County people will be there with information on the plans and predictions for this year.

Community Preparedness has now been combined with our Neighborlink project.  We have been awarded a 6×6 Tuffshed, which will be stocked with emergency supplies and constructed near the Firebarn.

The next Mountain Mayors meeting will be in mid-March.  Thank you to all the individuals and families who have supported our efforts.

Back to Old Business – Deb and Caroline are working on the Welcome Wagon concept for new residents.  They anticipate needing some money for supplies and will bring a proposal to the next meeting.

More New Business – Gretchen reported Nadyne Orloff communicated by email that it would be great to have some kind of recycling center in Gold Hill.  After some discussion, Amy and Gretchen will communicate with Lisa Friend about the possibility.

Also, a friend of the Brookharts, Niki Lopez, communicated by email that one of her clients was interested in holding free educational seminars on alternative energy options for people rebuilding.  The Town Meeting felt that we should not be promoting a specific business.  Contact Don or Marie if you have interest in this.

Respectfully submitted,  Gretchen Diefenderfer