Montreat Minute for April 10, 2020

April 10, 2020

COVID-19 Update

Once again, here are several COVID-19 updates pertinent to the Montreat community:

  • Buncombe County updated its “Stay Home- Stay Safe” order yesterday, extending the time limit and following many of the Governor’s orders in EO121. The order enacted other provisions, and we recommend you review it by reading the Interpretive Guidance document by CLICKING HERE.
          The most notable and pertinent provision for Montreaters has to do with the use of second or vacation homes. Here is the interpretation of the order: “In addition, any visitors arriving to Buncombe County from outside the state who are not travelling on essential business are required to self-quarantine in their residence for 14 days upon arrival… If someone is coming to a second home or vacation home of some sort in Buncombe County, they must also self-quarantine for 14 days before entering the community. This means no trips to the grocery store or other essential retail.” (page 10) Please share this new provision with anyone who qualifies for it.
  • Most Town staff continue to work from home. Call 828-669-8002 or email info@townofmontreat.org for questions or comments.
  • Leaf and brush pickup is now on a periodic, unscheduled basis. We will continue to pick up leaves and brush as needed, and will eventually return to the normal every-other-Wednesday schedule. Trash service continues as normal with Monday pickups.
  • Please consider donating to the One Buncombe Fund to assist Buncombe County businesses and individuals affected by the economic crisis. To learn more about the Fund and to make a gift, CLICK HERE.

Have You Joined the Mayor’s Chalk Art Challenge?

Break that coronavirus boredom! We are inviting everyone to get outside and use your creative skills with Mayor Helms’ Chalk Art Contest. All you have to do is create a chalk art masterpiece, take a picture of it, and send it to the Town. We will post it to the Montreat Town Facebook page. Then, everyone is invited to vote on your favorite by “Liking” it on the Facebook page. To learn more and read about the Guidelines, CLICK HERE. Be a part of the fun!

Need a Facemask?

As announced earlier this week, three compassionate Montreaters are making cloth facemasks and giving them for free to other Montreaters. So far, Jacqueline Clark, Lila Ray and Kitty Fouche have sewn and given away 132 handmade face masks. If you or someone you know needs a facemask, CLICK HERE to learn how to order one. And thank Jacqueline, Lila and Kitty for their gift to us.

2020 Census

As you may know, the 2020 Census officially kicked off on April 1. Unfortunately (and this will frustrate you!), no Montreaters received a card announcing the Census and providing you with your unique registration number to conduct your census form online. The reason is all the cards were sent to street addresses and never made it to our PO boxes (not the fault of our own Post Office, they would have delivered them had they received them). However, Commissioners Fouche and Widmer have been in contact with our local Census Bureau representative and would like to share how you can “be counted”. No registration number is needed to complete it online. Here is what you should do:

  1. Go to https://my2020census.gov/login.
  2. Notice at the bottom of the page a link entitled “If you do not have a Census ID, click here.” 
  3. Then, follow the registration questions, which will in turn lead you to the actual census form. It will take less than 8 minutes to complete the census online.

If you do not have online access or don’t wish to complete the census in that manner, you may do it over the phone by calling 844-330-2020 and completing by phone. Note that the Census Bureau has had to reduce staff so the wait may be long.

It is extremely important that you participate in the census. Not only does it provide an accurate accounting of our population, but it also provides Federal funding locally. The Census Bureau estimates that each person counted represents $1,200 in funding for local municipalities. So, please take the time to complete your census.

If you have any questions, please contact Commissioner Kitty Fouche at 828/357-8488 or Commissioner Tom Widmer at 828/357-5247. Please encourage others to participate. It’s important for our community and our country.

We’re Looking for a New Audit Firm

Several months ago, we informed you about a request for proposal for Independent Auditor Services. We have been with our current auditor for nine years. Although we are satisfied with their services, it is good business to periodically change auditing firms.  For further information on this RFP, CLICK HERE, or you may visit the BIDS PAGE and scroll to “Finance Service Bids.”

Burning Questions?

Do you have Town-related questions you would like answered? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Happy Easter and stay well!