Montreat Minute – January 3, 2025
Montreat Minute for January 3, 2025
Happy New Year from the Council and Town Staff
The Town Council and staff wish all Montreaters Happy New Year. We hope and pray that 2025 will be a positive year for you and your family.
Town Council Meeting Thursday, January 9, at 6:00pm
The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, January 9th, at 6:00pm in Assembly Inn’s Convocation Hall. Please note the change in location while the Town Hall is being restored from the hurricane. The Public Forum precedes the Council Meeting, beginning at 5:30pm. Everyone is invited.
For a copy of the agenda CLICK HERE
PLEASE NOTE: We apologize that due to technical issues, the meeting will NOT be live streamed. However, it will be recorded for later viewing and a link for the recording will be provided. And as usual, the Mayor’s Meeting Summary will appear in next Friday’s Montreat Minute.
2025 Sanitation Calendar Now Available
The Montreat 2025 Sanitation Calendar is now available. To save printing and mailing expenses, the calendar will not be mailed to cottage owners. Instead, it is available in several different ways:
- Download it by CLICKING HERE then print it or save it on your computer
- Stop by the Town office (currently in the Public Works building) and pick up a printed copy
- On the Town Website, go to the Sanitation page for the calendar and other helpful information (https://townofmontreat.org/sanitation/)
Town sanitation services remain unchanged for 2025. There will still be two bulk pickup days (July 8 and October 28). Curbside pickup will continue on Monday mornings as usual. The Town Convenience Center is open seven days per week from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Special collections can be arranged for additional leaf, yard waste or bulk item collection on unscheduled days at an additional fee. Call the Town Office at 828/669-8002, ext. 1 to make arrangements.
Be ready for Cold Weather Coming Soon!
Sub-freezing temperatures are predicted in the next few days. Director of Public Works, Barry Creasman, advises everyone to be ready for them. The American Red Cross offers tips to stay safe during cold weather:
1. Layer up! Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat help prevent losing body heat.
2. Don’t forget your furry friends. Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
3. Remember the three feet rule. If using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away.
4. Don’t catch fire! If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
5. Protect your pipes. Run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent pipes from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Keep garage doors closed. Wind is often the culprit causing frozen pipes.
6. Unhook your hoses. Hoses that are still connected to hose bibs can cause the pipes to break, so unscrew hoses from the hose outlets.
7. Better safe than sorry. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. Your heating bill may be a little higher, but you can avoid costly repair bills if pipes freeze and burst.
With all the part-time residences in Montreat, Barry suggests keeping an eye on your neighbors’ homes too. Watch for signs of broken water pipes including condensation on the inside of windows. Look for doors and windows that may have been blown open during high winds. Your neighbors will appreciate your diligence.
- Town administrative offices are still temporarily located in the Public Works building while hurricane related renovations are being done at the Town Hall. Hours remain the same, 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
- The Landcare Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 8th, at 9:00am in the Swannanoa Room of the Allen Building. The meeting will not be live-streamed.
- 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 and stay warm!