Notes on the GHFPD Board Meeting 6-21-18 by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Next board meeting will be Thursday, July 19, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.  Per Rich: This Thursday we should address the cistern tasks related to plumbing, backfilling and last but not least, hydrant location(s)

The meeting was called to order by President Rich Lopez.  Board members Rick Geesaman, Boyd Brown, Jessica Brookhart, and Bobby Vrba attended as well as community members Max and Debra Yeager, Tony Vrba, Rebecca Wilder, Steffi Wilson, and Gretchen Diefenderfer.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved

Chief’s Report – Chief Chris Finn submitted his report by email, as he was unable to attend.  There have been multiple abandoned campfires that our department has responded to as well as two religious fires.    Now the Sheriff has issued a burn ban and we will only respond after a deputy clears the scene. 

            Chris added that they are concerned about a bad fire season and he encouraged everyone to weed whack their yards out to at least 30’, clear out their gutters, and be careful with all flammables.

Wildfire Partners (WFP)– Tony reported, as Chair of the Town Meeting, that WFP sent out postcards to residents about free wildfire assessments through July 31, which includes two hours of free chipping, as well as free reflective house number signs.  She recommended them – they are really good and see things you don’t and make good recommendations.  She thanked the GHFPD for joining the Town Meeting in becoming partners with WFP. People need to sign up with Virginia Schultz.  Boyd added that he had participated and they are really thorough.

Cisterns – Rich reported that there is a lot of work still to do, but a lot has been accomplished.  This is a tremendous opportunity to work with SEMA engineers who are in the area working on Fourmile reconstruction and can squeeze in our work, saving travel time and money.  This meant we needed to respond right away and he asked that the board ratifiy SEMA’s bid, which they did.  The County permitting process is still wending its way through, but the decision was made by the board to go forward with the project because, as a state agency, they are allowed to.

            They held an outreach meeting last night (June 20) with neighbors of the project to provide information and answer questions. 

            Max reported that SEMA will probably use a track excavator, which will track up the meadow, and dig the holes, planning to situate the tanks endwise east to west.   A trencher will probably be used to dig the trenches to the hydrants, one on Hill Street and one on Grove Street.  The trench to Grove Street will need to be deeper to prevent freezing and will gravity feed.  The Hill Street one will be a dry hydrant and need to be pumped out of.  The people moving the tanks are oil field agency people. Max would backfill the west edge so reclamation could start right away. 

            There are still issues to address – do they bury them with the wheels?  How do they seal up the valves on the tanks?   Who will dig the trenches?  Rich has been working with the chief of Lefthand, who is also installing similar tanks, on all these plans and questions.  They have a list of plumbing and hydrants needed and may go in together to order them. 

            Max reported that it is standard procedure for SEMA to scrape the topsoil and save it for reclamation – stockpile it, screen the excavated dirt for rocks, etc.  He said it will be a mess for a while, but should be a survivable mess that will recover. 

            Rich added that they will keep updates coming to all the affected neighbors. 

Rebecca Wilder sent a letter to the board with concerns raised at the outreach meeting, particularly about revegetation and reclamation.  Rich added her concerns to the agenda to make sure they were addressed.   Don Ash has helped they put together the plans, including grass seed the county likes to use. 

            Jessie reported that her property was revegetated less than a year ago, after their construction, and looks great this year.  Boulder County requires revegetation and the use of the Rocky Mountain mix.  They put the seed down and did drag it and added some Arkansas Valley seed.  They also watered it a lot, beginning with every day for a while and then things began to sprout and they just watered as needed.  Rebecca volunteered to water.  Rich has consulted with Becky Martinek, as well as Bruce Welch and Don Ash about the reclamation.    Both Rebecca and Steffi expressed concerns about ongoing maintenance of the excavation.  Rich assured her that they will take all necessary measures to take care of their responsibility to reclaim the affected area safely and carefully. The town meadow is very important to everyone and they are completely committed to reclaiming it.

            They still have to address exactly how the backfilling will be accomplished as well as how to plumb the tanks and get them filled.  Rich will circle back with Russell, Chief of Lefthand, who has been incredibly helpful.  They will be testing the tanks for any leaks around the valves. 

Boyd added that SEMA has stated they are really trying to be good neighbors and establish a good reputation.  They have been very good to work with.  Additional water supply for firefighting has been in the departments strategic planning for years.  They have installed 3 dry hydrants in Lefthand near the stream and are very excited to be adding this 40,000gallon supply here to help protect the town.

Retirement Plan – Bobby reported that the only changes are that Leslie Jones has let him know the paperwork will not be available until August and is then due in September for the matching funds.