Mayor’s Summary of the October 9, 2025 Town Council Meeting

October 10, 2025

Greetings Montreat friends,

It was a beautiful, cool, Montreat fall day today—one that makes you happy to be in the mountains. My meeting summary follows below. Remember that the official minutes with far more detail will be in next month’s agenda packet. And, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum

  • Elizabeth Hamilton shared about Tree Board activities:
    • 15 Hemlock trees on Town property were treated yesterday by Tree Board members Ashley Marratt and Elizabeth as part of the ongoing “Save the Trees” effort by the Tree Board. We are extremely grateful to them for their efforts.
    • A new version of the Treasured Trees walk has been developed, which will be unveiled at a special walk on October 29th at 3:30. For a map of the Montreat Treasured Trees, CLICK HERE.
  • Letta Jean Taylor expressed concern about the new 3-way stop sign at Appalachian Way and Oklahoma due to possible slippery conditions. Savannah Parrish said it will be revisited to ensure safe conditions.

Council Meeting

In her comments, Savannah gave a brief update on FEMA business:

  • The Town recently received two reimbursement payments totaling $85,593 for debris removal on Welch Field and water wells repairs. We will roll those funds forward to do more Helene projects.
  • Final project development summaries are being submitted to FEMA for the handful of remaining projects. This is the last step on our part in gathering information FEMA has asked for, leading to FEMA review and determination.

Finance Director, Rachel Eddings, indicated the year end audit is moving along and the state has permanently changed the audit submission deadline from Oct. 31 to Dec. 31.

Public Comments Summary

  • MRA’s Tanner Pickett announced Montreat Wilderness Day, a special day on Saturday, October 18th, when 10% of all purchases at the Montreat Store and the Huckleberry will be donated to support wilderness initiatives and the trail system.

Old Business- There was none

New Business

  • The Council approved an Order of Collection, which authorizes the Town’s and Buncombe County’s tax collectors to collect taxes for the Town.
  • The Council appointed Town Clerk Angela Murphy as the Town’s Tax Collector. I then administered the oath of office to Angie.
  • The Council approved a Proclamation of Domestic Violence and Prevention and Awareness Month for the month of October.
  • The Council approved a budget amendment to appropriate the Round 3 Cash Flow Loan in the amount of $65,472 to the Helene Recovery Fund.


Council Communications– There were none

We then moved into Closed Session for discussion of personnel matters. We reconvened the meeting and the Council agreed to direct Savannah to affect an agreement with our legal counsel over a legal matter.

It may seem like we did not conduct a lot of business tonight since this summary is only two pages long. But I can’t help thinking that this Council, like previous Councils, dedicates itself to doing the work of the Town. For that, I’m most grateful to work with the Commissioners and Town staff.

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please write me at thelms@townofmontreat.org or call me at 828/669-3852.

Thank you again,

Mayor Tim Helms on behalf of the Town Council

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