Posted on: May 1st, 2018

GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the April 9, 2018, Town Meeting

 Next Town Meeting will be Monday, June 11, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Tony Vrba.  The meeting was attended by eleven people: Member at Large Dan Maedke, Maggie Simms, Treasurer Martha Knapp, Kyle McCatty from Wildfire Partners, Virginia Schultz, Pam Sherman, Stefanie Wilson, Emily Rose, Chair Tony Vrba, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, and Vice-Chair Jojo Morrison.

Tony introduced Kyle McCatty, Mitigation Specialist with Wildfire Partners (wildfirepartners.org).  WFP was started with a FEMA grant to promote a safer environment.  Kyle reported that they look at the conditions within 100’ of homes that contribute to ignition.  They did have some good success in the Cold Springs Fire.  They take research and science into account, looking at the construction itself and how vulnerable it is to the monsoon of embers generated in the bad fires, and prioritize the most effective ways to protect homes.  They have a checklist and try to focus on the biggest bang for the buck and most reasonable goals to accomplish.  He encouraged people to participate in the assessment.  They will work with you to effectively reduce the chance your home will ignite.  It is estimated that homes have a 30% survival rate with NO mitigation, 80% with defensible space, and even more after following the pointers from the WFP assessment.  Also, there is no feethis year.  This is the last year of the current grants, so there is a big push to accomplish as much as possible.  You can apply online at wildfirepartners.org.  There is cost sharing for up to 50% of the mitigation work, they have a list of contractors, and anyone who has the assessment can get two hours of free chipping.  Gold Hillians who have had the assessment added that it is an educational and encouraging experience and mitigation works.

            Virginia also encouraged people to participate. Of the people who participated in the chipping grant last year, only one went over the two hours that will be free for participants, so a lot of work can get done.  She has applied for the chipping grant again this year and there is a Gold Hill chipping event scheduled for the week of July 23-27. They plan to approach the Fire Department to participate.  Emily Rose brought up the increasing need for mitigation on the North Side of town, and Virginia plans to contact the Forest Service about any plans they have around town.   

            Kyle added that the forecast for June and July this year is for increased fire danger.

With that, Tony opened the regular agenda. 

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – Martha reported: At the previous regular Town Meeting in FEBRUARY 2018 our bank balance was $15,645.57. Our CURRENT total cash assets are $15,409.57. Revenue since February is zero. Expenses included filing fees for State of Colorado reports.

Earmarked fund totals (rounded to nearest dollar) are as follows:
General Fund $1207; Cemetery $6,858; Community Relief $3,327; Forest Management 0 (zero); Safe Link (funds for SafeSite, AirLink, NeighborLink projects) $3,785; Community Planning $233.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Gold Hill School – Jojo reports that she won an Impact on Education Award, and everyone cheered.  The kids had a very successful play “Back to the Sword” a play on Camelot and back to the future and Elvis appeared as anticipated.  Their last semester is coming up, with the focus on experiential education, including the greenhouse, riparian systems, insects, fly tying and fishing.  There will be a fundraiser at the Kitchen Next Door on April 23 – the Kitchen donates 50% of the proceeds and it’s a good fundraiser.  They will be having a Mountain Man Camp at the Teepee in Kirby’s field.  They only have18-19 kids enrolled so far for next year and are hoping for more.

Forestry/Mitigation – Virginia brought up the Chipping Grant and the question of subsidizing anyone if they don’t have the assessment that would provide them with the free two hours of chipping.  Tony suggested that we consider only subsidizing anyone who has more than two hours of chipping if they do the assessment.  Emily Rose raised the issue of the north side of town and we all agreed we should talk to our neighbors about participating for their own safety, the helpful contribution to the safety of their neighbors and the whole community.  Gretchen moved that the GHTM chipping grant subsidize only those members who participate in the WFP assessment.  Maggie seconded it and the motion carried. Virginia suggested that the amount of the subsidy for those who go over the two hours of free chipping be determined, up to 25% of the cost, when we know more about how many people intend to take part, and everyone agreed.  If we get the grant, the County will pay 25%.

Community Planning – no report

Historic Zoning – no report, but someone reported that the County Commissioners have postponed a decision on the Robinson house.

Fire Department – The Fire Board election was cancelled as they had only as many people interested as there were positions up for election.  Paul Garabedian has now resigned, as he and Diane have moved to Florida, so they are looking for someone willing to replace him. Please get in touch with Rich Lopez, President of the Board 303-473-0204, rvlopez@nullaol.comor any of the other board members – Bobby Vrba, Boyd Brown, or Rick Geesaman.  They have one interested community member and encourage anyone else to let them know and attend the next board meeting on Thursday, May 17, when they plan to make a decision.

Mining – Gretchen read an email from Dick Cole: Hi! Just checked with Michael Cunningham @ DRMS regarding M1994-117 Gold Hill Mill, which was to have had a decision date of Friday April 6, 2018. The mine operator requested another extension of 60 days to address adequacy issues that were brought up in response to the permit app. DRMS granted the extension until June 8, 2018. There ya go. 

Weeds – Emily would like to see a weed pulling party organized in the fall for Mullein in the area around the hike between Hugh’s and the Cemetery.  She and Amara did a ton of pulling last fall and want to enlist some help.  Pam thought that was a great idea and said that Emily’s in charge.  Jojo asked if we should plant something so other weeds don’t just fill in the space.  Pam also pointed out that Mullein is a useful plant – when dry, it’s great tinder to start fires in stoves and has medicinal properties as well.  She will put information out.  She recommends Charles Walton’s Weed Control without Poison, and also suggested composting (minus the seeds) to cover the soil and discourage weeds. She added that the mowing recommended for 30’ around homes for wildfire mitigation would also take care of some weeds. She handed out an Ecocycle pamphlet, and encouraged people to get in touch with her if you are interested in learning about composting.

Historic Gold Hill – Gretchen reported that the Calendar committee is working away, and is open for ideas as well as anyone interested in being on the committee – contact Gretchen, Marie Brookhart, or Chellee Courtney.  The next meeting is May 8, 10 a.m. at Gretchen’s house.

Friends of Fazoo – Jojo reports that Joan Few will be doing an historic survey of the property.  Arthur has already created a grid map to systematically work on it.  They will need volunteers to help.  After that is done, they will be able to weed whack and begin the clean up.  Jojo will be contacting BCOS again to clarify the agreement.  Boulder Permaculture Guild is interested in looking at the area, as well as some other groups.

Cemetery Committee – Maggie reports that they are looking to do a survey – they all, including Bob and Chellee, think it’s important to know exactly where the lines are. Jojo suggested that the county will do a survey, but perhaps only of the triangle that is on the Fazoo/BCOS property. Maggie has a map that Chellee got a month ago and it looks like that triangle is on the map as belonging to the GHTM, but they want to do an independent full survey of it the whole cemetery, including the annex. This generated a discussion of the money in the Cemetery Committee fund and if it would be sufficient, etc.   Historically, the Cemetery Committee was separate from the Town Meeting and had it’s own funds, which Bob eventually brought into the TM.  Since then their funds have accumulated through donations specifically directed to them.  Tony expressed concern that there is a lot of money in the fund and the Town Meeting owns the Cemetery and so is responsible for it.  The question arises about how much autonomy do the committees, and particularly the cemetery committee, which receives these dedicated funds, have.  Martha suggested that Maggie do some investigation into the cost for a survey and bring it to the next TM, which she plans to do.

NeighborLink/SafeLink/AirLink – Tony is one of the Pod Leaders in NeighborLink and she encouraged all the leaders to re-connect and update their groups. Particularly, we need to know how people want to be communicated with – text, phone, email, or walk over – in case of an emergency?

IMA (Intermountain Alliance) – No report asTony did not make it to the last meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Forestry – Move money for forestry and review updated grant information – see above, moving the money is tabled for now.

Strategic Planning/Community Center – Tony noted that, on the survey of community priorities a couple of years ago, about 50% thought we should pursue a community center, and we need someone to take the lead on looking into our options.

Town Portrait – Maggie has reached out to three people looking for a photographer – one didn’t reply, one was very vague, and the Atkinson’s granddaughter, Natalie Campos, would be interested, but might not be around.  Pam suggested Anna Poisson, who lives here in town, and Jojo suggested David with Hoffer photography, who does the school photographs. Maggie will check with them.  She would like to nail down the date as much as possible and suggested July 7^th.

NEW BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 New Neighbor/Pizza Night – Tony reports that Deb suggested we have another town gathering, particularly to encourage new people to come and meet up, in the off month between town meetings on May 14^th.  She would like people to stand up and report on town events and services in the hope of generating more involvement in town stuff – maybe someone from NeighborLink, the Climb, the Museum, Fire Department, etc.  And she would like funds to purchase some pizzas, etc. as well as having people bring potluck contributions. Maggie moved that we give Tony $50.00 to purchase pizzas at the Gold Hill Store, Jojo seconded it and the motion passed.

Changing the time of the Town Meeting – Maggie moved that we change the TM time to 7:00.  Steffi seconded it.  There was a discussion of the pros and cons – i.e., it could make it more difficult for people who work versus we would get out earlier.  The motion passed and the new time is 7:00 p.m.

Town Clean Up – Will be on Saturday, June 23 this year – same place: the Bluebird Lodge parking lot and along Main Street (big thank you to the Finns).  As in the last few years, Boulder County’s focus is on reuse and recycling.  We will need donations to pay for the dumpsters, which they no longer support. We need volunteers, too.  Contact Gretchen (303-442-3847, gretchend@nullmac.com) if you can help – thanks so much.  More info to follow.

            Tony would like to encourage people prior to the 23^rdto clean up areas around the community.  Several people do this frequently on their own, and it would be nice to get a group effort going.

Upcoming Events

May 14th, New Neighbors Pizza night – 6:20 p.m.

June 11th, Gold Hill Town Meeting

June 22nd, Museum Event

June 23rd, Town Clean Up

July 4th, GHFPD Annual Pancake Breakfast and Parade

July 23-27th, Community Mitigation Event

August 13thGold Hill Town Meeting – Elections

 

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary.