GHTM Minutes 3-10-25
GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER
Minutes of the March 10, 2025 Special Town Meeting called to finish proposed bylaw changes and agenda from 2-10-25.
Next Town Meeting is Monday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. at the Gold Hill Elementary School and by Zoom
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dan Maedke. Six people attended in person: Dan, David Brigham, Maggie Simms, Boyd Brown, Michael Wollard, and Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer. Eight more attended by Zoom: Chief Rich Caudill, Treasurer Chrissy Maedke, Member at Large John Hatelid, Val Crist, Leslie Finn, Karen Simmons, Kathleen Gilgannon, and Virginia Schultz.
Minutes – were approved as published.
Update on Emergency Communications and Power Outages – Rich reported that he’s been in communication with Lumen (the parent company of CenturyLink) and has not been able to get them to play ball to keep us in full telephone communications with battery back up when/if out power goes down. Steve Silverman, Boulder Communications Director, did arrange for Boulder Sheriffs to come up with a portable cellular site to get us through the scheduled power outage on March 11 for cell service for 9-1-1. Rich will keep working on this to get us a better solution in the future.
Second Round of Voting on Bylaw Changes – Maggie expressed concern about the potential for maybe more complicated bylaw changes in the future that we’ve been hearing about. Chrissy replied that the goal now is to clean up these bylaws. Then we picked up where we left off last meeting, at Article IV: Town Council Section E
Article IV: Town Council Section E: When a Council Member Moves
Any council member, other than the member-at-large, shall automatically resign upon moving from within the area bounded by the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc.
Section E: When a Town Council Member Moves – Proposed Changes
Any Town Council member who becomes ineligible for election under Article IV, Section 2, and does not voluntarily resign, shall be deemed to have resigned from the Town Council, and their position will be considered vacant.
Maggie moved we adopt the changes, David seconded and it passed 10 – 0.
Article IV: Town Council Section F: Vacancies-
Any vacancy must be filled for the remainder of the term by appointment by a majority of the council members within two weeks of its occurrence.
Section F: Vacancies– Proposed Changes
Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term, made by a majority of the Town Council members, within two weeks of its occurrence or as soon as practical.
Maggie moved we adopt the changes, David seconded and it passed 10-0.
Article VII: Amendments
These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted according to the following procedure:
Section A:
At a regularly scheduled meeting, where a quorum is present, Bylaw change(s) may be proposed by a simple majority of those members present. Proposed Bylaw changes are to be made and approved section-by-section.
Section A: Proposed Changes
Bylaw changes may be proposed at a general membership meeting where a quorum is present. Proposed changes will be presented and discussed on a section-by-section basis.
Leslie moved we adopt the changes, Maggie seconded, and it passed 10-0
Article VII: Amendments Section B:
The proposed Bylaw section(s), and the Bylaw section(s) that are intended to be replaced, must be included with the minutes of the meeting and distributed to the members at least two weeks prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Section B: Proposed Changes
Proposed additions, deletions, or amendments to the bylaws must be included in the meeting minutes of the general membership meeting and distributed to members at least two weeks prior to the next general membership meeting.
Val moved we adopt the changes, David seconded and it passed 10-0
Article VII: Amendments Section C:
At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the sections of the new Bylaws may be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. who are present. Bylaw changes are to be voted on section by section.
Section C: Proposed Changes
At the next general membership meeting, the proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be adopted by a two-third majority vote of the GHTM, Inc. members present.
This proposed change generated quite a bit of discussion because it eliminates the section by section provision. Chrissy wanted this because she believes that future amendments she has in mind, particularly having to do with the way money is managed will need to relate to each other in order to not be in conflict with each other. The majority, however expressed that future amendments would need to presented clearly as having to work together and that the section by section is an important provision to preserve. We don’t anticipate having to go through this huge number of changes and it should not be that difficult to present changes that don’t conflict. Maggie wanted to vote to preserve the original bylaw, but that is out of order. Virginia moved to approve the changes, John seconded. The vote was 3 in favor, 6 opposed and the change was defeated. Chrissy proposed changing “regularly scheduled meeting” to general membership meeting. Abiding by the bylaws, we can vote on this next meeting.
Article VIII: Dissolution
This Corporation may be dissolved according to the following procedure:
Section A:
At regularly scheduled meeting, where a quorum is present, dissolution of the corporation may be proposed by a simple majority of those members present.
Section A: Proposed Changes
At a general membership meeting where a quorum is present, the dissolution of the corporation may be proposed by a simple majority of the members present.
Dave moved we adopt the proposed changes, Val seconded and it passed 9 – 0.
Article VIII: Dissolution Section B:
The proposed dissolution of the corporation must be included with the minutes of the meeting and distributed to the members at least two weeks prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Section B: Proposed Changes
The proposed dissolution of the corporation must be included in the agenda for the general membership meeting and distributed to members at least two weeks prior to the next general membership meeting.
Leslie moved we adopt proposed changes, David seconded. There was a discussion re the agenda vs. the minutes, but the changes were adopted 7 – 0.
Article VIII: Dissolution Section C:
At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the dissolution of the corporation may be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. who are present.
Section C: Proposed Changes
At the next general membership meeting, the dissolution of the corporation may be adopted by a three-quarters majority of the members of Gold Hill Town Meeting, Inc. who are present.
Upon dissolution of the GHTM, any remaining funds shall first be used to settle any outstanding bills, and, with the approval of the Town Council, may be spent for the benefit of the town of Gold Hill.
Michael moved we adopt the changes, David seconded and the motion passed 9 – 0.
Update on Wildfire Mitigation Festival – Marcus and Dan reported the Festival is planned for June 14 and 15th. They are trying to get the best vendor for the goats. Teens, Inc. will be here for possibly two weeks with weed whackers, etc., – the focus will be on projects in town and possibly some of surrounding area. Firefighters will operate extra saws, maybe a chipper, and we’ll have dumpsters for debris. They’re hoping to get a band and Smokey the Bear. Leslie reported she would like to see something fun maybe at the Inn – that a town in Oregon does something like this every year and has a big potluck and party at the end. Boyd added that, in addition to Teens, Inc. and goats work in the meadow, they’re looking to extend up farther clearing the area – adding maybe another acre. The medical team will have a table with the “File of Life” which lists any medical conditions the team may need to know and is magnetized to attach to refrigerators. They want to cover the entire district with these. Also looking to revitalize NeighborLink for emergency communications. All this will be added to the Strategic Plan for the GHFPD. Trying to do a big thing. The bottom line is we know the money thing is going to be tight for the next 4 years, so the town and the fire department will need to step up and create a plan to be self-sustaining.
Julian with BWC (Boulder Watershed Coalition) is taking on more responsibilities as Maya is stepping down.
There is still money from the Fuels Mitigation grant – Dan is mainly managing that and will get an email out requesting input on projects. Mike added that the Val cut from several years ago needs maintenance.
Sunset Trail Running Festival is scheduled for June 22 and the funds generated come to the fire department and the town.
Committee Reports – decided to mainly postpone until April meeting.
Announcements –
Phone List – The phone list is now published, copies here at the School and at the GH Store – no charge. Any changes, email Chrissy.
GH Seniors – Val reports the second social lunch is this Friday – they’re planning on monthly.
Community Breakfasts – Dan reports these have been every other week and are fun.
Cemetery Committee – David reports they are planning a small project to remove the barbed wire. John said he’d help – let him know when.
April Peak to Peak Community Safety Fair at the Nederland Community Center – Dan and Boyd will go.
With that, a motion was made to adjourn and passed.
Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary
ADDENDUM re CenturyLink and Power Outages from Dan
There is no backup power for the communications switch box in Gold Hill right now. If power is out for the town, landline phones and internet service will be out immediately as well. There is supposed to be a battery backup but Lumen is not supporting it. If there is a PLANNED power outage for 6 or more hours, the Fire Chief will take action to try to provide the town with access to 911 service. For unplanned outages it is pretty much impossible to provide emergency backup equipment in a timely enough manner before the power is usually restored. I have attached information about how to file a complaint with Lumen and the PUC. The town residents should pursue this avenue to get action.
