Montreat Minute – September 5, 2025
Town Council Meeting Thursday, September 11, at 6:00 pm
The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, September 11th, at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall Community Room.The Public Forum precedes the Council Meeting, beginning at 5:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend. The agenda is available by CLICKING HERE.
The meeting will be live streamed. CLICK HERE for streaming information.
“When do I need a Building Permit?”
Town staff often receive the above question regarding building permits. Here’s a quick primer on when a building permit is needed. You need a building permit if:
- You are expanding the footprint of your existing dwelling
- You are seeking a zoning variance
- You are making structural repairs or improvements
- You are making foundation repairs
- You are building a new roof, repairing or reroofing an existing roof
- You are doing any plumbing work beyond unclogging a toilet or sink
- You are doing any electrical work that requires a licensed electrician
- You are installing a new water heater
- You are installing new or additional gas lines
If your project involves any of the above and your contractor says, “You don’t need a building permit”, find a new contractor! Building codes, which are established by state statute, are in place to protect homeowners. The Town’s Building Inspector, Dan Cordell, is your advocate to ensure the work is done correctly and meets code.
Building permit applications are available on the Town website under “Forms” or at the Town Hall. Typically, permit applications can be approved within one business day. All this may sound like government over-control, but the State established building statutes for your protection. Questions? Please call Angie Murphy at 828/669-8002, x1.
I Have an Idea…
Town Clerk Angie Murphy is the epicenter of information and communication in Montreat. Residents call or stop by with questions and needing information about a plethora of topics. But occasionally, residents will contact Angie with ideas. Creative solutions to common problems. Starting today and periodically in the Montreat Minute, we will share residents’ ideas Angie receives. If you have an idea on how to make Montreat a better place to live, contact Angie at info@townofmontreat.org or call her at 828/669-8002, x1.
For the inauguration of “I have an idea…”, what could be a better topic than bears! Recently, Angie had two residents offer ideas on controlling trash incursions by bears.
Whitney and Jock Brough have a metal bear box with the button on the front that locks the lid down. But bears know how to open it. Jock installed a length of chain and fastened one end directly to the box then installed a chain bolt snap on the other end. He wraps the chain around the handle then clips the snap to an eye bolt installed on the box. No incursions so far!
Bill Roberts had a similar problem with bear incursions with his trash box. His solution was to purchase a new job box at Lowes/Home Depot like many others have done. But Bill painted his box then secured it to a concrete pad with bolts through each of the four feet. He also used a chain bolt snap to secure the lid closed. And like the Broughs, so far so good! And it’s good looking as well.
Don’t forget to send your ideas on living in Montreat to Angie for a future “I have an idea…”
Montreat Trivia Coming September 18
Trivia Night is coming to Montreat on September 18, thanks to a newly formed group called Montreat Friends Forward. The group’s purpose is to raise funds for beautification of the Town Hall and surrounding property after the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Trivia Night will begin at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Community Room and conclude at 8:30 with a sweet treat. The evening will be hosted by an Asheville trivia expert with a subject focus on Montreat. A $10 donation is requested, cash or check accepted. Proceeds will be used to replant areas around the Town Hall and pocket park.
For questions or other information, contact Maggie Elliott at maggieelliott5@yahoo.com or Jan Swetenburg at janswetenburg@gmail.com.
Updates and Reminders
- As promised, Back Door trash pickup will resume its usual schedule on Mondays beginning next week, September 8.
- Tree Board will meet on Tuesday, September 9 at 9 a.m. in Town Hall with Zoom options.
- 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
