Montreat Minute – Nov. 15, 2024
Mayor’s Summary of the November 14, 2024 Town Council Meeting
Greetings fellow Montreaters,
We had a good turnout for tonight’s Council meeting in Convocation Hall. We are grateful to MRA for letting us use this space while the Town Hall is undergoing flood repairs.
My summary follows below, but the official minutes will be in next month’s agenda packet. Of course, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.
Public Forum
Jamie Bookwalter, a relatively new resident to Montreat, spoke about the annoyance and frustrations of the address/mail issue and inquired about the background of no home mail delivery. She is not able to buy from certain online merchants because they
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Hurricane Debris Pick Up
As mentioned previously, Public Works Director Barry Creasman has requested that all residents pile Hurricane Helene vegetative debris at the edge of their individual properties. Please DO NOT BLOCK THE ROADWAY. Public Works is winding down its residential debris pickup plans, so make sure to have your debris on the roadside.
Also, please do not take storm vegetative debris to Welch Field. Welch Field debris is only for Town debris due to FEMA regulations.
Bulk Pick Up/Storm Related Pickup Scheduled for December 3
Bulk Pickup has been rescheduled to December 3rd. At that time, we will be picking up items ruined in the hurricane as well as usual bulk pickup items. Again, please do not block the roadway with your items.
Runner Hit by Car on Assembly Drive
A runner was hit by a car late Monday afternoon while running in the bike lane on Assembly Drive. He sustained multiple injuries but was released from the hospital yesterday.
For drivers, please be particularly cautious about runners, especially at dawn and dusk and slow your driving speed along Assembly Drive. For runners, please run on the walkway, as the bike lane is for bikers only and is dangerous for runners, especially for those running with traffic at their back and/or ear buds cancelling out ambient sounds.
Donations Still Being Accepted
We are very fortunate to have received more than $193,000 in donations for staff and restoration expenses. Donations are still being accepted to defray the cost of repairing the damage. FEMA typically does not approve all the projects we submit for reimbursement and, historically, the Town has been reimbursed only about 75% of the total cost of the approved projects. We are still awaiting FEMA payment from damage done in the 2018 Hurricane Alberto storm!
Thus, donations will help us stay strong financially. CLICK HERE for instructions regarding how to make online donations and gifts by check. Pass the link on to friends who love Montreat and want to see it rebuilt.
Montreat College Students Launch Storm Project
The design students at Montreat College are passionate about using their skills to uplift our town. They have launched a project to document the Town of Montreat’s experience with Hurricane Helene.
Your stories, pictures, and moments of strength will guide our design project to truly support our neighbors during this time. By understanding your experiences, we can create a project that directly benefits the community.
Like residents, the students are invested in Montreat, even if it is their temporary home. This project is their way of giving back and showing their commitment. To take the survey, CLICK HERE.
Reminders
- Save the Date: the Montreat Gate holiday lighting will be on Friday, December 6th at 5:00pm at the gate. This is a joint project between the Montreat Adult Summer Club, MRA, and the Town and was made possible by donations from Montreaters.
- Due to hurricane damage, MRA has closed all trails and recreational facilities for the time being. They are hoping to have some trails open in the coming weeks. If you would like to help open the trails, MRA has three trail volunteer days scheduled. Email [email protected] to find out more about how to sign up.
- MRA has cancelled all groups and activities at the conference center through the end of the year. However, the annual College Conference will be held as planned. For more about MRA and hurricane related information, visit their website by CLICKING HERE.
- Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
- Do you receive Montreat Code Red alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane? If not and you would like to be added to the list, email [email protected] and provide your name and phone number to be called in the event of an emergency.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend!