Montreat Minute for October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026

Mayor’s Summary of the October 8, 2026 Town Council Meeting

Headshot of a smiling older man with short white hair, wearing a pink button-down shirt and a navy blazer.

Hello Friends,

It was a long meeting tonight, but we accomplished quite a lot. I’ll summarize it below.

I do these summaries so you know what is happening in Montreat immediately after our Town Council meeting and you don’t have to wait a month for the official minutes. You can also view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum

We had only one question/comment. Eric Nichols asked when the Convenience Center key fob will work. Town Manager, Savannah Parrish, apologized that we have been having technical, equipment-related problems with the gate. Right now, the gate remains unlocked with the Convenience Center fully functional for your household trash and recyclables. Public Works is overseeing the repairs, and expects the gate to be fully functional soon.

To read more, CLICK HERE

Tropical Storm Will Send Rain Our Way

A map showing the projected path of Hurricane Isaias moving north from the Gulf of Mexico toward the mid-Atlantic, with time-stamped forecast markers.

We wanted to provide a weather update as we continue to monitor tropical storm Isaias moving through Alabama and tracking northward.
 

At this time, forecasts indicate that the storm’s projected path will remain slightly west of our area. Based on the current information available, we are only expecting periods of heavy rain and periodic wind gusts. We do not anticipate any significant impacts to Montreat at this time, although several inches of rain are expected.
 

We encourage all residents to stay informed by monitoring local news and weather reports for the latest updates and any changes to the storm’s track. Please use caution when driving during periods of heavy rainfall and secure any loose outdoor items as a precaution.
 

Town staff will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and provide additional updates if needed.

Thank You, Montreaters: Sanitation Ordinance Compliance Successful!

Bear Aware sign featuring a silhouette of a bear containing the text Keep Bears Wild.

In its first week of enforcement, the Sanitation Ordinance had only three incidents of non-compliance which were resolved immediately. Town staff and Council are extremely grateful for everyone’s cooperation.

One point to remember: there is no such thing as a bear proof container or system! The best that can be done is a bear resistant container or system. Bears are incredibly powerful and clever. Three residents’ containers that had been previously certified were broken into. Such occasions are not unusual and can be fixed. When putting hasps and other hardware on container systems, be sure to use heavy duty hardware such as the type pictured below. Also, use two hasps, as we have seen bears peel and bend corners and sides of lids.

Hillman 7-1/4 inch heavy duty metal hasp in retail packaging.

If you need advice on how to secure your container, contact Town staff at 828-669-8002, ext 1.

Thank you again for working to make Montreat a Bear Aware community.

Made In Montreat Craft Show and Sale Returns October 17th

A stained-glass butterfly, a necklace on a display bust, and a ceramic vase next to text that reads: Craft Show. HANDMADE. LOCAL. UNIQUE.

Made in Montreat, the highly anticipated annual craft show and sale, is returning on October 17th. Crafters and artists invite you on Saturday, October 17th from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm in Lower Moore Center. Creative items such as pottery, jewelry, fused glass, books, paintings, Mahjong gifts, Bear Aware tools, and so much more will be featured by Montreat crafters and artists.

No dogs please. Cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted. Don’t miss this very special opportunity.

Support the Montreat Post Office

A red-sided building with a peaked roof and an American flag out front, situated in a wooded area with an accessible ramp.

You may know that it is very important to support our Montreat Post Office. The Post Office’s viability for remaining in Montreat depends completely on the revenue it generates here in Montreat. Thus, the importance of our buying stamps and sending packages from the Montreat PO rather than using other post offices or buying stamps online. If you are a part-time resident, buy your Christmas stamps here rather than in your hometown. And you will find a wider variety of stamp designs in Montreat than in most other post offices.

You don’t want to go to Black Mountain to pick up your mail or buy stamps. Supporting our Post Office will help ensure we have postal service in Montreat in the future.

Updates and Reminders

A hand writes the word REMINDERS in black marker with a red underline on a white background.
  • Save the date for the PHC Distinguished Reformation Lecture on Friday, October 23rd at 7:00 pm in Upper Anderson. This year’s speaker is Dr. Mark Valeri who will be speaking on “Patriotism, the American Revolution, and the Reformed Tradition.” Admission is free and all are invited to attend.
  • The Montreat Tree Board will meet on Tuesday, October 13th, at 9:00 am, in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be live streamed. For a copy of the agenda 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!