Special Montreat Minute 10/7/24

Town Manager Savannah Parrish opened the meeting with good news, saying 80% of Montreat homes have water at this time.

Other water news includes:

  • Public Works is busy repairing remaining water lines
  • However, only 50% of the well pumps are working at this time, slowing the process of filling the storage tanks that provide us with water. It is a priority to get the other pumps operating.
  • Once the tanks are filled, water samples will be sent out for testing. In the meantime, the drinking water boiling advisory is still in place. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
  • At this time, we are asking residents to please conserve water, using it only for essential functions. If doing clothes washing, please keep it to a single load for a while. Refrain from hosing off mud and debris until the conservation advisory is lifted. We don’t expect that to be a long time.

Power:

  • Many areas are still without power in Montreat. Multiple power lines remain down and represent a significant risk to life. PLEASE avoid them.
  • To get an estimate of when you will have power, click on this link: https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/current-outages/ncsc
  • Please be aware that some residents reported erroneous reports from Duke about power restoration.

Trash:

  • Trash is somewhat problematic at this time. We were not able to get the Convenience Center dumpsters emptied over the weekend, and they are now full.
  • Dumpsters are available at Ingles and Tractor Supply, although someone stated Tractor Supply dumpsters are full.
  • Curbside pickup in Montreat will resume on October 22
  • Please DO NOT deposit your trash in open construction dumpsters, as doing so will attract bears.
  • A new dumpster is in place at the Convenience Center for HOUSEHOLD TRASH ONLY.

Roads:

  • All roads are passable except Calvin Trail and Frist Road, which are partially blocked. Providence Terrace remains closed altogether, with significant damage to the road and water lines under the road. Unfortunately, there is no timeline to when Providence will reopen.
  • Please be careful driving, as trees and debris are on the shoulders, as are power lines. We recommend you limit your driving around Montreat.
  • Public Works is aware of potholes and broken asphalt around town. All roads will be repaired, but it may take some time.

Police Report:

  • Police Chief Jeff Eaton reported that we are at normal staffing by our own officers. We are extremely grateful for the help we received from other jurisdictions during the first week.
  • There were no incidents reported in Montreat, which is contrary to other communities around us.
  • Nonetheless, the Montreat curfew remains in effect, but has been revised to 10:00pm to 6:00am.

Other Notes:

  • Daniel Bennett, Dean of Students at MC, said classes will resume on Monday the 14th, and students will be returning to Montreat on Sunday.
  • Post Office services have been suspended in Montreat, but Montreat mail is being delivered to the Ridgecrest Post Office. Residents may go to the Ridgecrest Post Office at Exit 66 off I-40 East to pick up mail. We will alert everyone when service returns to Montreat.
  • Richard DuBose announced that cleaning buckets, courtesy of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, are available by contacting him. The bucket is a 5 gal. pail filled with cleaning supplies.
  • Representatives from Black Mountain Presbyterian Church announced that feeding stations in Black Mountain have been consolidated into a single location at the Rail Yard. Free hot meals are being served from 11:00am to 5:00pm daily.
  • Internet service via StarLink is available in Black Mountain at the corner of Mountain and View Streets
  • The October Town Council meeting scheduled for this Thursday has been cancelled. A special meeting will be announced in the weeks to come.

Several Important Questions:

Q: When should people return to Montreat after evacuating?

A: The Town is not requiring people to stay away. Residents should return when they feel comfortable, understanding several cautions including:

  • Water may not be available at your home
  • We are on boiled drinking water and water conservation advisories
  • Trash pick up is still unavailable and must be carried out
  • Mudslides remain a concern in certain areas

Q: If a neighbor asks us to check water and electricity at their home, what should we do?

A: Flip the electrical main breaker on to confirm power, but flip it back to “Off” after confirmation. If the water is shut off, turn the valve to confirm water service, then shut the valve off afterward.

Q: There are many workers in Montreat that aren’t our own staff. Can we get them to wear ID tags for security purposes?

A: With all that’s happening, it is impractical to ask them to wear IDs. We certainly don’t want to make life difficult for workers and drive them away. Just be aware around your own home of any unknown people and although you may not normally lock doors when you are away from home, lock them when you are away and if you feel more comfortable, when you are at home. The MPD is patrolling regularly and is quite visible. Call the non-emergency number, 828.250.6670, to report suspicious activity.

Mayor Helms announced that through all this tumult, Savannah Parrish had to move out of her apartment on Friday with her two girls. Yet she kept working through it all. We are extremely grateful to her for her dedication and leadership.

The next Town meeting will be Wednesday, October 9, at 9:00am at Assembly Inn.