Montreat Minute for August 21, 2026

August 21, 2026

Convenience Center Improvements Continue

A fenced recycling and waste drop-off area with dumpsters and signs. Trees and greenery are in the background, and gravel covers the ground inside and outside the gate.

If you have been to the Convenience Center recently, you probably noticed the new double gate as well as the smaller human “walk-through gate” to the left. These upgrades were made not only to improve service, but to prepare for the restricted access system which will soon be implemented.

Beginning approximately September 8, the Convenience Center will be accessible only to Montreat property owners and their guests via a gate lock system. The walk-through gate will be the access point to the dumpsters. All Montreat households will receive a key fob registered to that household. To gain access, simply wave the key fob in front of the keypad and the gate will unlock. The two large gates will remain closed and locked at all times.

A black PDK key fob with a silver key ring lies on a wooden surface. The fob displays the yellow PDK logo and the website www.prodatakey.com.

You will be able to obtain your key fob in one of two ways:

  1. Stop by the Town Hall to register and pick it up
  2. Fill out an online form and the fob will be sent to you via US Mail. More on this option in a future Montreat Minute.

Several other important points about the new system:

  • There is no charge for the key fob
  • If lost, the old key fob will be deactivated and be unusable. A new fob will be issued at a replacement cost of $25.
  • One fob will be issued per household
  • The Convenience Center will be available 24/7. However, MPD and Public Works recommend that you access it between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm for safety reasons.

These changes and improvements will result in use only by Montreat residents/guests. That means there will be virtually no completely full dumpsters anymore, preventing you from depositing your trash.

We will be providing additional information on the new system in coming weeks.

What is a Bear Resistant Trash Container?

Silhouette of a bear with the words KEEP BEARS WILD inside it. Above the bear, Bear Aware is written in bold green letters. The background has a green curved shape.

Last week, we shared about how to make permanent trash containment systems more bear resistant. CLICK HERE to read that story. Many Montreaters don’t have permanent containment systems but use portable wheeled cans instead. The new sanitation ordinance prohibits any non-bear resistant containers from being used at curbside. It is fine to use them in your secure storage areas, but they cannot be placed with trash at the curbside.

What makes a trash can bear resistant?

  • Made of a thick, durable composite material that cannot be penetrated by bear teeth or claws
  • A lid system that fits snugly inside a metal band or flush with the container itself
  • A locking mechanism that locks automatically when the lid is closed and is virtually impossible for bears to open

CLICK HERE for a list of trash containers that are considered bear resistant, even for Montreat bears.

Close-up of a speckled black plastic container lid with a threaded black fitting or cap attached on top, possibly for dispensing or connecting equipment.
The lid tucks inside a steel rim of the container with a
locking mechanism accessible only by human fingers.

Want to know if you have a bear resistant container? Have it certified! Email trash@townofmontreat.org and ask that your container(s) be checked and certified. Include your name and street address. If they are bear resistant, a “Bear Aware” sticker will be affixed to your container(s). If not, you will be emailed as to what you need to do to make the container(s) bear resistant.

If you have questions, email trash@townofmontreat.org or call 828/669-8002, ext. 1.

New Flower Bed a Labor of Cooperation and Love

A round stone planter filled with yellow flowers and greenery sits beside a road, surrounded by green grass and leafy trees in bright sunlight.

Hurricane Helene did inconceivable damage on September 27, 2024, taking out roads, bridges, homes, and even human lives. Initially, the focus was on overcoming large areas of destruction. There were many smaller areas of damage that weren’t addressed and still aren’t.

In their frequent walks along Assembly Drive, Montreaters Cathie and Frank Dodson kept noticing the ruined flower bed at the intersection of Assembly, Kanawha, and Virginia. Cathie knew something needed to be done with it since it is one of the first things people see when coming through the gate. She talked with Adam Greenspan, owner of Greenspan Landscaping Company, and they began to develop a plan.

Adam agreed to do the planting plan, provide the plants at favorable prices, give professional advice, and supervise the planting process.

Cathie contacted friends at First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo, Mississippi, who she knew were looking for a Helene related project in Montreat. They were happy to donate to the new garden. Cathie also contacted other Montreaters for additional donations.

In the meantime, she was talking with her daughter, Emily Jarrett, in Roanoke about the project. Emily works with the youth at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. Last year, the youth did a Helene Clean Up project in Montreat. Emily spoke to the youth about the garden project. They were enthusiastic about doing it while they were in Montreat for the second youth conference this summer. By mid-June, the devasted garden was reborn and welcoming everyone to Montreat. Many thanks to Adam Greenspan, FPC Tupelo, and the youth and leaders at the Roanoke church. And a very special thank you goes to Cathie Dodson for her inspiration, volunteerism, and work in helping rebuild the beauty of Montreat post Helene.

Does Your Property Back Up to Flat Creek?

A house sits behind a mound of fallen trees and debris near a rocky stream, surrounded by forest, indicating recent flood or storm damage.

If your property backs up to Flat Creek, you may be interested in a new program offered by Asheville GreenWorks. Asheville Greenworks is a not-for-profit that, among other things, focuses on priorities to build a more resilient environment including cleaning up rivers and streams.

They are looking for property owners who need help with streambank repair.

Asheville GreenWorks has received funding to support streambank repair and revegetation on properties impacted by Hurricane Helene. They are currently identifying properties that could benefit from this work and are inviting interested landowners to complete the Streambank Revegetation Request. CLICK HERE for the form.

Updates and Reminders

A hand writes the word REMINDERS in black marker, with a red line drawn underneath the text.
  • Montreat College is welcoming new students for registration today. Returning students will arrive on Sunday and Monday, with classes beginning on Tuesday. When you see them, offer a hearty Montreat welcome!
  • The Montreat Board of Adjustment will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 27th, at 5:00 pm, in the Town Hall Community Room. The purpose of the hearing is for a variance request. The meeting will be live streamed. For more information and streaming instructions, CLICK HERE. All are invited to attend.
  • 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 Redalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? 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 Angela Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a great weekend!