Mayor’s Meeting Summary for June 12th, 2025 Town Council Meeting

June 13, 2025

Hello Fellow Montreaters,

It turned out to be a beautiful evening after the rainfall and we had a good crowd for tonight’s meeting. My meeting summary follows below. Remember that the official minutes will be in next month’s agenda packet. And, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum                                                                                                                  

  • Elizabeth Hamilton acknowledged the efforts of the Tree Board and volunteers in its efforts in the recent hemlock restoration. A hearty group of volunteers treated hemlocks in the Town right-of-way along Assembly Drive. Donor gifts bought the treatment supplies to save our hemlocks. George Sawyer, Chair of Landcare, in turn thanked Elizabeth for her work organizing this special effort.
  • Jean Norris gave an update on Flat Creek Crossing. The hurricane obviously affected the project, but it is still moving ahead. Funding has been extended, and the first phase will begin in the fall. They are currently $55,000 short of their needs to complete the project and are hopeful of raising the funds.
  • Tom Frist asked about the status of the Texas Road pedestrian bridge and the park that will be adjacent to the bridge. Savannah explained that the bridge is on the FEMA damage inventory for replacement, but we have not heard the status of it yet. The park was not part of the plans but is a separate project that will be started after the bridge is built.
  • In the remaining time, Town attorney Brandon Freeman shared background on an agenda item to be discussed during the Council meeting.

Council Meeting

After I opened the meeting, I thanked Montreaters and guests for their flexibility in dealing with the detours lately. The biggest detour project is Assembly Drive between Lookout and the dam. I praised Public Works for the huge creekside stabilization project they have been working on. Public Works Director, Barry Creasman, told me it is the biggest, most complicated project they have ever done in Montreat. But their work is excellent and we are grateful for their recovery efforts.


Town Manager, Savannah Parrish, introduced the new Town summer intern, Ethan Walls. Ethan is a rising junior at UNC Chapel Hill studying political science and public policy. Ethan will work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She also announced that Town Zoning Administrator, Kayla DiChristina, has resigned with her final day on June 30. She also reminded everyone that the Town Bulk Pickup will be on July 8. No building materials or tires are allowed.

Public Comments- There were none

Old Business- There was none

New Business

  • A Public Hearing was heldregarding a text amendment to the Stormwater Ordinance, which would allow for variances to the ordinance. After an explanation by Kayla DiChristina, there were no comments from the audience.
  • The Council then discussed and passed the text amendment with an additional clause proposed by Commissioner Blake.
  • The Council approved the naming of a small tributary of Kitchen Branch. The name will be Bear Brook.
  • The Council approved a budget amendment to appropriate the cashflow loan from the state of NC and other Helene donations to the current budget.
  • The Council adopted the 2025-2026 Town budget, and we thanked Savannah, Town Financial Director Rachel Eddings, and other staff for their work on a successful budget.
  • After considerable discussion, the Council adopted an ordinance to allow golf carts for limited use during the Worship and Music Conference.

Public Comment

  • Wade Burns shared about the status of the civil legal issues regarding the house he built in the ETJ.
  • Seth Hagler, MRA Vice President, announced that he has resigned his job to be closer to his family in Knoxville. He thanked the Town and staff for the partnership between himself, MRA and the Town. Seth will be moving July 2.

Council Communications

  • Commissioner Blake shared an idea from Cathie Dodson about installing signs at the Town entrance about bears and not feeding them. Mason, Savannah, and Commissioner Widmer will work on the project.
  • Commissioner Widmer thanked the Town staff for their strong financial management this year during a most difficult and expensive time frame. The Town has a positive net income of more than $100,000 YTD, when we were expecting the worst. He also announced that as a public service, MPD patrol officer Justyn Whitson will be teaching a CPR class on July 10th. CPR procedures have changed in the past five years, so it is important to stay current.

We appreciate everyone’s involvement in helping make Montreat a very special place. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, 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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