Montreat Minute for March 7, 2025
Called Council Meeting Today at 2:00pm re. Hurricane Helene
The Montreat Town Council will be meeting today at 2:00pm in the Town Hall Community Room for the purpose of discussing FEMA progress after the hurricane and discussing hurricane project prioritization. The meeting will be life streamed. All are invited to attend. Streaming instructions are available by CLICKING HERE.
Town Council Meeting Thursday, March 13, at 6:00pm
The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, March 13th, at 6:00pm in the Town Hall Community Room.The Public Forum precedes the Council Meeting, beginning at 5:30pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
The meeting will be live streamed. CLICK HERE for streaming information.
For a copy of the agenda, CLICK HERE.
Sunset Beach Delivers Donated Police Car
From left, SB Asst. Chief Stan Gurganus, MPD Chief Jeff Eaton, SB Chief Ken Klamar
In the Feb. 21 Montreat Minute, we announced that the Town of Sunset Beach, NC, donated a 2017 police car to Montreat because they heard we lost a patrol vehicle in the flood. Earlier this week, Sunset Beach Police Chief, Kenneth Klamar, and Assistant Chief, Stan Gurganus, delivered the vehicle to Montreat’s Police Chief, Jeff Eaton.
Asked why Sunset Beach made the generous donation to Montreat, Chief Klamar said, “Our business is helping people and when we see that a neighboring jurisdiction has a need, we’re glad to be there to help. However, it’s unusual that this tragedy would happen so far away in the mountains. We are glad to be able to help area agencies including the Town of Montreat any way we can.”
Given the magnitude of hurricane related expenses Montreat is incurring, Sunset Beach’s vehicle donation was a Godsend for Montreat and we thank Sunset Beach with overflowing appreciation.
Burn Ban Lifted But Caution Advised
The burn ban that was announced last week due to extreme fire danger conditions that have precipitated at least 15 wildfires in WNC recently was lifted this morning. Forecasts continue to call for low humidity and gusty winds,
Although the ban has been lifted, everyone is advised to use extreme caution and constant supervision for all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns, fires in pits, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires, chimenea, and outdoor stoves. Fireplaces without chimney spark arrestors should also be used with caution.
Brush Pick Delay Explained
Drew Brown
Last week a bush pick delay was announced due to equipment breakdown. What we didn’t mention was the cause of the breakdown and the potential injury averted.
Brush pickup is a free service provided by the Town and includes pickup of sticks and branches less than 6’ long and 6” in diameter. The brush is immediately mulched by Town staff. Last week, apparently metal was thrown into a brush pile. It was not noticed when being fed into the chipping machine. Not only did the metal break the equipment, but pieces of metal were thrown back out. Sanitation Staff Worker Drew Brown narrowly avoided being hit by the propelled metal.
For the sake of equipment, but more importantly human safety, please ensure your brush piles contain only brush and no other materials. Fortunately, Drew is OK, but unfortunately the chipper is still out of commission.
Cottagers Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee Meetings
The Montreat Cottagers Membership Voting Procedure Review Committee meetings will be held next Thursday, March 13th and on Thursday, March 20th at 2:00 pm in the Montreat Town Hall Community Room. The purpose of the meetings is to carefully listen to the concerns members and friends of the organization have concerning the voting procedures provided for in the organization’s bylaws. The committee will study and consider the concerns that are expressed and report its findings to the board of directors. The report will include any recommended revisions to the bylaw’s membership voting and related provisions. All are invited to attend.
Both meetings will be live streamed. The March 13th meeting link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84451753424. The link for the March 20th meeting is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83003763432.
Members may also provide written comments to the Committee before or after the meetings. Comments should be addressed to the Committee at P.O. Box 111, Montreat, NC 28757. If requested by the sender, written comments received before the meetings will be read aloud or summarized at one of the meetings.
Cottager Directories Still Available
There is still a supply of 2024 Montreat Cottager Directories for sale. They can be purchased from Town Clerk, Angie Murphy, at the Town Hall. Directories are $25 in person (cash or check only) or $35 if mailed to you. If you have questions, contact Laurie Morgan at [email protected].
Updates and Reminders
- 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? To learn more about Code Red, CLICK HERE. If you would like to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
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!