Montreat Minute 10/09/2020
Mayor’s Meeting Summary of Last Night’s Town Council Meeting
Hello Fellow Montreaters,
I must first apologize for something. We had a problem with our internet service last night and did not find out about it until shortly before the Public Forum began. We were not able to fix it in time for the meetings. We weren’t able to send out a message of the internet failure, so some of you may have been wondering what was happening. Again, we apologize.
Although we set up ten chairs for the public given social distancing, only 6 citizens were present. Nonetheless, we were delighted to have them join us.
Here’s a summary of the meeting:
- Public Forum questions/comments included:
- Sally Stansill reviewed the petition she and 14 other Montreaters submitted
Please CLICK HERE to read more…
American Chestnut Trees Return to Montreat
At the request of the Tree Board and the Town Council, Town Hall Landscape Architect Joel Osgood worked to obtain 4 chestnut tree seedlings for the Town of Montreat from The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF). After conversations with the Tree Board, Public Works Director Barry Creasman and PW staff member Daniel Wiggs, the Town’s two ISA certified arborists, pulled soil samples from various locations in the Town to ascertain the best locations for planting. Each location has soil and other growing conditions that should help the trees establish themselves and flourish. Each location is visible to the public and visitors to Montreat.
One seedling will be in the Town Hall pocket park near Flat Creek. It will be complemented with an educational sign focusing on the importance of the species to the area and efforts being undertaken to restore the American chestnut. In addition to the Town Hall, seedlings will be planted at Moore Field and the gate – one on the hill and one at the top of the hill.
Please join us on Tuesday, October 20 at 10:30 am, rain or shine at Moore Field for the ceremonial planting of the American chestnut and the first step in restoring this iconic species to the Montreat valley.
Watch for more information regarding the American chestnut and the Montreat valley on the Town website. The Tree Board is working to collect pictures of the Town’s forest prior to the 1930’s to become a part of a Town Hall display. Please contact Ann Vinson, [email protected], if you have photos to share.
Speaking of the Pocket Park…
Earlier this week, Public Works staff erected an educational sign in the pocket park adjacent to the rain garden. The sign, designed by local artist Joseph Matthews, describes what a rain garden is and how it works. Funds to design and produce the sign were given by Montreaters as part of the Town Hall “Montreatization” effort. In addition to the sign, a waterproof container is attached containing the new rain garden brochure. Produced by Katie Widmer and other Montreat Landcare Committee members, the brochure was provided by Landcare. Pick up a copy, then build your own rain garden!
Join the “Gardeners of Weedin’”
As mentioned in last week’s Montreat Minute, Susan Holcomb is organizing a group of citizens to prune, weed, plant and maintain the Town Hall grounds. In yesterday’s organizational meeting, the group named themselves the Gardeners of Weedin’! This fall they will be weeding and making plans for the spring. Additional volunteers are needed. If you are interested in being a part of this important effort, please contact Susan Holcomb at 828/231-2293 or [email protected].
Montreat Recognized for Annexation
The North Carolina League of Municipalities, of which Montreat is a member, recently recognized Montreat and Black Mountain for working together in the deannexation/annexation process for moving the Town boundary to include the new Town Hall property. The League, which represents the interests of cities and towns in the state to better serve their residents, complimented Montreat and Black Mountain on our creativity and collaborative effort. To read more about the recognition, CLICK HERE.
Other Important Information
- Montreat College featured the new Town Hall in their October issue of the student newspaper. CLICK HERE to read the cover story.
- Although Monday is Columbus Day, Town staff will be working and sanitation pick up will occur as usual.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Thursday, October 22, at 10:30am. More details to come in a future Montreat Minute.
- Town Staff will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Town Hall, 1210 Montreat Road to open bids for Project #2020-001 Texas Road Retaining Wall/Bank Stabilization Project.
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.
Stay well and have a great weekend.