Montreat Minute for November 13, 2026

November 13, 2026

Mayor’s Summary of the November 12, 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,

Despite a cold and blustery night, the Community Room was full for tonight’s Council meeting. We’re grateful for your interest in our governmental process.

As I have said before, 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

  • Martha Campbell asked what was the best way to let our new trash pickup vendor, CWS, know that they are not fastening locks and chains on trash cans after pickup. Town Manager, Savannah Parrish, said to contact either herself or Town Clerk Angie Murphy if there are any customer service issues related to the new vendor. Contact them at 828/669-8002, extension 1 or 5. Or email info@townofmontreat.org.

To read more of the Meeting Summary, CLICK HERE

Be Firewise

Logo for Firewise USA with a house and leaf illustration on the left and the text FIREWISE USA Residents Reducing Wildfire Risks in bold red and black letters on the right.

The annual Firewise rep is due on November 20th. So please send the hours that you have spent in your yard raking and pruning to Nancy Midgette (midgette@elon.edu) not later than November 19th. You can also count hours that you pay others to work!

These autumn days are beautiful, but the lack of rain also comes with increased fire risk.  Please get leaves away from your home and collect yard debris into small piles on the street that the town can pick up. It takes all of us to reduce the risk of fire in our lovely valley!

Montreat Joins Manna Foodbank in Food Drive

Logo for Manna Foodbank, featuring an orange icon of hands cupping a bowl above the text MANNA FOODBANK.

Buncombe County is organizing a countywide food drive November 9–23 to support MANNA FoodBank, Montreat is supporting the food drive by serving as a collection site. Donations support MANNA’s operation, which on average serves more than 137,000 people per month in Western North Carolina.

Foods needed include shelf-stable foods like canned fruits and vegetables, proteins like chicken and tuna (pouches preferred), and dried beans and rice. A full list of needed items for food drives can be found by CLICKING HERE. Food donations can be dropped off at the Town Hall front lobby. Thank you for sharing with those in need.

Welcome to Our New Zoning Administrator

A man smiling while sitting outdoors with two young children.

At last night’s Council meeting, Montreat’s newest employee, Graham Crawford, was introduced and given the Oath of Office. Graham is our new, full-time Zoning Administrator. Graham came from Weaverville, where he was doing similar work for the town. Graham is an employee of the Town, not a contract employee. He works Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. He can be reached at 828-669-8002, Ext. 3. Pictured above is Graham with his two sons, Keller and Franklin. Missing from the picture is Graham’s wife, Kayla, and their brand new baby, Molly. Look for more information about Graham in a future issue of the Montreat Minute.

Updates and Reminders

A hand writes the word REMINDERS in black marker, with a red underline beneath the text on a white background.
  • Save the Date! The Montreat Gate Lighting, sponsored by the Montreat Adult Summer Club and the Town, will be held on Friday, December 4th at 5:15. Refreshments, music, fellowship and lights are on the agenda.
  • The Montreat Board of Adjustment will meet on Thursday, November 19th at 5:00 pm in the Montreat Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be livestreamed. For agenda and streaming information, 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. Stay warm!