Mayor’s Summary of the July 10, 2025 Town Council Meeting

July 11, 2025

Hello Montreaters,

Summer is here and Montreat is rocking! We were grateful for a good crowd at the July Town Council meeting. My meeting summary follows below. But remember the official minutes will be in next month’s agenda packet. And, you can view tonight’s meeting recording by CLICKING HERE.

Public Forum                                                                                                                  

  • Wade Burns announced there will be a community meeting on Saturday, July 12, at 2:00 pm at his home 779 Foreman Siding Road in the ETJ for discussion of his pending request for a conditional zoning permit.
  • Bill Seaman gave an update on the Flat Creek 2040 Project. The project draws together various experts across multiple knowledge areas to address future sustainability and services of the Flat Creek watershed. A workshop was held in May with experts from many disciplines to discuss the status of Flat Creek, with much discussion on the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene. The group, which included representatives from Montreat, Black Mountain, and experts from the area, felt optimistic about the future of Flat Creek and the Flat Creek watershed, although admittedly there are challenges. For a copy of Bill’s summary report, CLICK HERE.
  • Priscilla Hayner asked a question of Bill Seaman on how Montreat is doing on stormwater control. Bill said living in the mountains, stormwater control will always be a concern. Today, the concern is not only development in Montreat and impermeable surfaces, but a huge risk is the increase in number and volatility of storms dumping uncontrollable amounts of water in the headwaters and downstream portions of our streams.

Council Meeting

After I opened the meeting, I expressed appreciation to the Montreat Police Department, Public Works team, and administration for their hard work in preparing for July 4th festivities including the Gate Race, traffic control, and parade arrangements. Montreat 4th of July could not be done without this team of highly competent people. I also mentioned I spoke to the father of one of the two women survivors in the fatal UTV accident on Appalachian Way. He said his daughter was recovering and expected a good outcome for her.


Town Manager, Savannah Parrish, offered a few updates:

  • She asked that if the Convenience Center gates are closed or has been posted closed online, please do not leave trash outside the fence area.
  • She welcomed and introduced Rich Caplan, the Town’s new Zoning Administrator.
  • She, too, expressed her appreciation and thanks to the staff for all the hard work during the 4th of July celebrations.

Public Comments- There were none

Old Business- There was none

New Business

  • The Council received a very informative report from Michelle Faison, Project Manager with WIthersRavenel. WithersRavenel is the firm we hired to assist us through the FEMA filing, reporting and negotiation process. Upon introducing Michelle, Savannah expressed appreciation to and confidence in Michelle and her abilities to help move us through the FEMA maze. Michelle said the Town has submitted the FEMA Damage Inventory, which amounts to nearly $5.2 million, but will rise with tighter estimates and the inclusion of several other major projects. She is confident we will be reimbursed for all damages incurred and repaired from the storm. However, she reminded everyone that this effort should be considered a “marathon, not a sprint”- her way of saying we must be patient and understand it will take time. If interested in this topic I recommend you hear her report in the meeting video recording by CLICKING HERE and advancing to timecode 34:46.
  • The Council approved the acceptance of the second round of interest free loans from the State, this time in the amount of $79,655. This totals more than $200,000 in interest free loans from the State. The loans are being used for hurricane repair cash flow. We are confident we will be reimbursed and the loans paid off long before their due date of 2030.
  • The Council approved a paving contract with C&T Paving in the amount of $134,465 for eight projects. This is a small portion of the overall paving projects submitted to FEMA.
  • The Council approved the appropriation of $76,700 of Powell Bill funds on hand for the purpose of the paving project above.
  • The Council approved the appointment of Ashley Manson Marratt to an unexpired term on the Tree Board, expiring on January 31, 2028. Ashley is assuming the seat previously occupied by Brad Hestir, long time Tree Board member and leader, who recently passed away. Our condolences to his wife Jean Norris.
  • The Council authorized Savannah and Mason Blake to negotiate the employment contract with Rich Caplan, the new Zoning Administrator.

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Public Comment

  • Mary Standaert told the Council that an unnamed Commissioner should resign due to the manner in which the Council member spoke to her in a phone call. **This statement was corrected to reflect the content of Dr. Standaert’s comment on 7/11/25.

Council Communications

  • Commissioner Fouche related she was proud and excited to see the parade walkers waving the placards with the faces of the Public Works crew as “Helene Heroes” and was sorry they could not be in the parade as real heroes because they were too busy attending to parade logistics. Kitty also said she was moved by the crowd’s cheering when the photo placards passed by.
  • Commissioner Widmer:
    • Thanked MPD Officer Whitson for the excellent CPR class he taught to 15 Montreat residents earlier in the day. It was a valuable public service.
    • Passed on words of appreciation from resident Bill Scheu to the Council about a town contractor, CWS, for the positive manner in which they resolved a vehicle accident involving his car and a CWS sanitation vehicle.
    • Told a story about two grandchildren of Montreaters who sold lemonade and cookies on July 4th as a fundraiser for Town hurricane relief. They earned $300 for their efforts, and their father said he would match anything they raised (bet he was surprised at their success!). The Town is receiving a $600 check for restoration efforts.
  • Commissioner Blake thanked Cathie Dodson and Commissioner Widmer for the new Be Aware of the Bears signs around town. He also said he has received a few comments and ideas from residents about traffic issues. He passed them on to Chief Eaton, who graciously accepted them and told Mason that he would like to hear directly from residents if they have concerns or ideas. He can be reached at 828/669-8002, ext. 6.

Summer is a busy time in Montreat, which helps make it a very special place. And we thank you for making it a 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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