Montreat Minute for April 2, 2026
Town Offices Closed Tomorrow
The Montreat Minute is being published one day earlier than normal because the Town Offices will be closed tomorrow, April 3rd, to observe Good Friday. Regular hours will resume on Monday, April 6th. Sanitation pickup will not be affected. Of course, police services continue their 24 hour/day schedule.
Town Council Meeting Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 pm
The Montreat Town Council will meet for its monthly meeting next Thursday, April 9th, 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 will be available on the website soon.
The meeting will be live streamed. CLICK HERE for streaming information.
Statewide Open Burn Ban Still in Effect
A reminder that the North Carolina Forest Service has issued a statewide open burning ban due to extreme fire danger conditions including low humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuels.
It applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and land-clearing burns. However, everyone is advised to use extreme caution and constant supervision for all open flames, including fire pits, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires, chimenea, and outdoor stoves. Fireplaces without chimney spark guards should also be used with extreme caution.
There is still an abundance of fire fuel on the ground as a result of the hurricane, creating ideal conditions for uncontrolled wildfires. Be sure to clear debris, including downed trees, limbs, leaves and other fuel, from your own property to provide a defensive barrier for your home.
Please be careful.
Sanitation Ordinance Q & A
Last week we began sharing Sanitation Ordinance Q & A’s to keep Montreaters informed about the newly revised ordinance. For questions about the revisions, please contact Town staff by email trash@townofmontreat.org or call 828/669-8002. Also, a portion of the Public Forum at the April 9th Town Council meeting will be dedicated to answering questions about the revised Sanitation Ordinance.
Here are more Q&A’s from the Q & A document. For the entire document, CLICK HERE.
Q: How will it be determined if containers are bear resistant?
A: Most portable containers indicate if they are certified bear resistant or not. Permanent curbside bins are not as easily recognized as bear resistant. Some systems specifically made as refuse containment systems will say if they are a bear resistant container (BRC) or not. Others will have to be evaluated by Town staff to determine their status.
Q: I usually roll my plastic can from the garage out to the curb just before Drew and the sanitation pickup team come, so it’s not there long. Can’t I still do that?
A: Not with the new rules. No matter how long the container is out, it must be bear resistant. Marauding bears have super sensitive olfactory systems and can detect food sources and garbage from over a mile away.
Q: I keep my trash and recyclables in my locked garage/shed, then take them to the Convenience Center. The can is never at the curbside. Do I still have to buy a BRC?
A: No, you do not need to buy a BRC as long as your non-bear resistant can stays in the locked garage/shed.
Q: When does all this go into effect?
A: The new revised Sanitation Ordinance went into effect when it was adopted at the March 2026 meeting. However, the requirement to have bear resistant containers/systems will not be enforced until October 1, 2026 to give everyone time to get prepared.
Daffodil Party Thursday, April 9th 2:00 pm
The community is invited to Montreat’s annual Daffodil Party Thursday, April 9th, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm 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.
Montreat Landcare Festival and Arbor Day Celebration April 11th
What began in 2012 as the Montreat Native Plant Sale is now the Montreat Landcare Festival and Arbor Day Celebration. Come on Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Moore Field to celebrate the region’s native flora and fauna, explore simple steps to sustain them, and learn about initiatives to strengthen the cove environment. Plant vendors, local artists, Master Gardeners, information booths, and more will be featured. For more information, CLICK HERE.
Meet Elijah Ammons, MPD Police Officer
We regularly profile a Montreat Town staff member or Town Council member. Today we are featuring Elijah Ammons, Montreat Police Officer.
Although Elijah has been working in Montreat since early January, most Montreaters haven’t seen or met him yet. That’s because he works the second shift for the MPD, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, and doesn’t have the opportunity to run into many people. Nonetheless, he loves the type of community policing practiced at Montreat and looks forward to meeting more Montreaters.
Although new to the Montreat Police Department, Elijah is not new to our Montreat or the surrounding area. He was born and raised in Black Mountain, including attending Black Mountain schools. He was active in sports at Owen High, playing football and golf. Although “retired” from football, Elijah still loves to play golf and tries to get out to the links as often as possible. During and immediately out of high school, he began working for the Black Mountain Parks and Recreation department doing a wide variety of tasks, including operating the scoreboard, lifeguarding, and even supervising the bounce house at special functions!
However, his heart kept him focused on law enforcement. His father was in the military, which influenced Elijah and his older brother greatly. In high school, he did special projects focusing on law enforcement. His first step into law enforcement was landing a job in security at Biltmore house. That opportunity fueled his desire to go deeper into police work. He enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Training program and graduated 20 weeks later. He landed a job as a reserve officer in Black Mountain, then moved on to a full-time position in Old Fort. Last fall, he learned about the opening in Montreat and discussed it with his boyhood friend, Montreat officer Justyn Whitson. He was offered the MPD job and began working on January 5th.
When not working, Elijah spends time with his girlfriend, Kayleigh. He is teaching her how to play golf. He loves the outdoors and hunts when the opportunity is available. He is also intent on staying fit so he works out regularly. And, he enjoys hanging out with his family including his parents and his brother, who is an officer with the Black Mountain Police Department.
On working in Montreat, Elijah enjoys and admires the people he works with. He particularly appreciates the favorable “work-life” balance Acting Chief Tim Bradley espouses, as did previous Chief Jeff Eaton. “I get up happy to go to work every day,” commented Elijah. “I love talking with people and interacting with them.” Being in Montreat is extra special, as Elijah spent many summers in MRA’s Clubs Program and has fond memories of frolicking in the pool and Flat Creek.
We are happy Elijah is on our police force. If you see an MPD cruiser between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am, it’s likely to be Elijah. Stop and give him a hearty Montreat welcome.
Updates and Reminders
- The Montreat Stone Bridge Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, April 13th, at 10:00 am in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be live streamed. All are welcome to attend.
- Buncombe County Election Services will be conducting an information session on April 28th, at the Black Mountain Library for those interested in running for office in Black Mountain and Montreat this November. For more information and to RSVP, CLICK HERE. All are welcome to attend. Watch for details in weeks to come.
- 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 CodeRED alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane? If not, CLICK HERE to register and ensure you will be contacted in the event of an emergency.
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.
Best wishes for a blessed Easter weekend.
