Montreat Minute – August 22, 2025
In an Emergency, Do You Know the Evacuation Routes?
In the recent Montreat Police Department survey, approximately 38% of respondents said they are ‘completely’ or ‘very’ prepared for an emergency evacuation. That means the majority don’t feel well prepared. One of the keys for emergency evacuation is knowing how to get out of Montreat.
An evacuation route map is posted on the Town website. Download the map and study it so you know the three key routes out of Montreat in case of an emergency. Of course, the main route is via Assembly Drive. One alternate route is West Virigina to Virginia to the Gate. The second route is Texas Road to Texas Road Spur to Texas Road Extension on to Assembly Drive. Although there is only one exit through the gate, there are several alternatives to get to that point.
You can find the evacuation map on the website at the top of the home page under Maps or by CLICKING HERE.
Planning and Zoning Administrator
Town Manager Savannah Parrish announced this morning that we have had another change in the office of Planning and Zoning. Rich Caplan, who came on as part-time Planning and Zoning Administrator in July, has resigned.
The good news is that Alexis Baker is joining us as the interim P&Z Administrator, effective next week. Alexis will work Tuesday and Thursday until we are able to find a permanent Administrator.
This is an extremely important position for Montreat. Unfortunately, it is not an easy position to fill on a part-time basis. Although the job qualifications are high, the position demands don’t justify a full-time employee. But we will find the right person for the job and for Montreat.
Alexis may be reached at 828-669-8002, x3. Please contact Savannah at 828-669-8002, x5 if you have questions or Alexis is not available.
More on Bears
Everyone knows that bear activity seems to be the highest in memory. They have broken into homes while residents were inside, been aggressive to walkers and hikers, and generally challenging.
Why is this happening? The primary reason is bears know homes are an excellent food source, as told by the vast number of trash cans bears have gotten in to. Their primary natural food sources are scarce now. Why should they go foraging in the mountains when they can hit a trash can and satisfy their appetites?
How do we resolve it? Cut off their food source. Make sure trash is secured, meaning locked tightly. Use a bear resistant trash container that securely latches. Close garage doors where trash is stored. Don’t have refrigerators on porches or other accessible locations. And if you rent out your house, PLEASE inform renters of the seriousness of securing their trash. The majority of incidents reported to the Town are related to rental properties.
Here are other things to help control bear incursions:
- If possible, contain trash indoors and don’t put it out until Monday morning or take it to the Convenience Center, 7 am to 7 pm seven days per week.
- As much as Montreaters love birds, stop putting out bird seed until early winter. If you can’t “bear” that thought, use only one feeder and bring it in in late afternoon.
- Secure crawl space entrances and foundation vents with heavy duty materials. If bears can bend metal trash can lids in half, they can easily pull out a foundation vent or a plywood door on a crawl space. Bears don’t like bright light or noise, so put a flood light and a loud radio (if you can stand the noise!) in your crawl space.
- Keep doors and windows closed. Bears can easily get through dog doors. If you do not have air conditioning and need the windows open, open the upper sash instead of the lower. The Wildlife Resources Commission recommends driving a series of nails through a piece of plywood to create an “Unwelcome Mat” and place the “mat”, nail points upward, under windows or crawl space entrances.
If you have other solutions that work for you, share them by sending an email to info@townofmontreat.org. We need all the help we can get!
Native Plant Sale Returns for 2026, Volunteers Needed
The Montreat Landcare Committee’s Native Plant Sale subcommittee is busy planning next spring’s event. There was no Native Plant Sale this year due to continued clean-up following the storm. But it returns for 2026!
The subcommittee is looking for volunteers. This is a great opportunity for Montreaters, especially new residents, to learn about our community. If you have some time on your hands, an interest in Montreat’s environment, and a desire to get involved, become a volunteer.
For more information, contact subcommittee chair Kathy Putnam at 321-279-4088 or kputnam380@gmail.com.
A Story with a Good Ending
Last week, MPD Chief Eaton announced that they found a lost dog near the gate. Eventually, “Bodie’s” owners were found. Apparently Bodie slipped out through a slightly ajar screen door from his residence in Black Mountain near the Montreat Town border. He was found wandering near Kanawha Drive. After some good police work, Bodie and his owners were reunited. Thanks to the Montreat Police Department for all the work they do, including resolving lost dog cases.
Updates and Reminders
- Montreat College classes began earlier this week for the kick-off of the fall semester. The college welcomed more freshmen on campus than ever before.
- The Montreat Board of Adjustment will not be having an August meeting.
- 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 CodeRedalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about CodeRed 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 Angela Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend
