Montreat Minute 04/4/25
Special Hurricane Helene Message from Mayor Tim Helms
As we pass the six-month mark since the Helene flood, we can look back and see significant progress in Montreat, while also recognizing the ongoing recovery efforts still underway.
Many residents have legitimate questions, such as: When will my road be repaired? Why aren’t the aprons to the bridges paved? How will we fix major roads like Greybeard, Appalachian Way, and Shenandoah? The answer to these questions comes down to one key factor—funding.
While we are committed to addressing all these critical repairs, we simply do not have the necessary funds to tackle everything at once. We are actively working with the State of North Carolina and FEMA to secure funding that will help restore our town to a more normal state. The Town Commissioners have reallocated all available budget funds to an emergency recovery fund for Helene. However, we must also ensure we maintain enough funds to cover daily operational expenses, keeping essential town services running smoothly.
Our Biggest Challenge: Funding Recovery Projects
One of our major hurdles is securing the funds needed to start recovery projects. FEMA and the State of North Carolina operate on a reimbursement basis. This means Montreat must first fund, begin, and complete a project using our own resources. Only after submitting documentation of completion will we be reimbursed. Unfortunately, we do not have a large reserve of funds to begin these projects immediately.
To bridge this gap, we will be applying for a no-interest loan from the State of North Carolina. While this loan will help jumpstart recovery efforts, it will not cover the full estimated recovery cost—projected to be close to $11 million.
New Challenges Arising
Each week brings new obstacles. Recently, our new woodchipper was totally destroyed due to a piece of metal mixed in with yard debris. Additionally, increased use of town vehicles and equipment has led to accelerated wear and tear beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. Finally, much of our equipment is not nearly large enough to deal with the size of some of the projects,
Your Patience and Support Matter
We share this information to keep you informed and ask for your patience as we navigate the complex process of securing and receiving funding. Full recovery will take several years. Montreat is a small town with limited funds, but our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to improve our situation every day.
We are a resilient community, and we will recover from this unprecedented natural disaster. If you or someone you know is willing to support the recovery effort, please consider donating to the Montreat Helene Recovery Fund. And if you have ideas or other resources to help us speed the recovery process, contact Savannah Parrish at [email protected] or 828/669-8002, x5.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mayor Tim Helms
Town Council Meeting Thursday, April 10, at 6:00pm
The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, April 10th, 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.
Help the Hemlocks
Hemlock trees are an essential part of the forest in Montreat, supporting plant and animal biodiversity and protecting the environment. While the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) can kill a hemlock in 5 years, this pest can be controlled with periodic treatments. The Montreat community has treated the hemlocks twice before. Because many of the hemlocks are in decline, it is time to rally again.
The Montreat Tree Board, through the Hemlock Restoration Initiative and the generosity of Mary and Joe Standaert,has arranged a Hemlock Treatment Workday on April 22, 2025. With volunteers assisting, this cost-effective effort will treat selected town trees that are in decline and will not affect the predator beetle project or the watershed.
Fifteen volunteers are needed who can work Tuesday April 22 from 9am to 3pm (rain date April 23). Volunteers will work in small groups and walk from tree to tree treating with insecticide under the supervision of licensed professionals providing guidance and training.
Donations to cover expenses for chemicals and equipment are needed and are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Montreat with “Hemlocks” on the memo line.
For more information or to volunteer, please email Elizabeth Hamilton or Joe Standaert.
Daffodil Party April 11
The community is invited to Montreat’s annual Daffodil Party on Friday, April 11, from 2:00-4:00pm at 513 Greybeard Trail. The event is hosted by Margo and Tyler Smith in collaboration with the Montreat Adult Summer Club. Friends and neighbors from Montreat and beyond are welcome. Bring a treat to share and join the community in this grand spring celebration.
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 or 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 Angie Murphy at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend!