Montreat Minute for July 31, 2026
Bear Resistant Trash Containers Required by October 1
Just a reminder that the new sanitation ordinance requiring bear resistant trash cans and containment systems goes into effect on October 1st. What does this mean? Any container, portable or fixed, that is at curbside containing trash must be a certified bear resistant container. If you store your trash in a closed storage area or locked garage and take it to the Convenience Center, your containers do not need to be bear resistant but they must not be placed at curbside.
How do you know if you have bear resistant containers? 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 like the one above 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.
Need help making it bear resistant? The Town has arranged with several private individuals who can make alterations to containers. They will bill you directly. To make arrangements, again email trash@townofmontreat.org.
We will be publishing other information to help make this transition more understandable. Coming soon: information about a new secure Convenience Center system and ways to make your containers more bear resistant.
If you have questions, email trash@townofmontreat.org or call 828/669-8002, ext. 1.
Fire Wise Message
Even with our recent rain, we could always use more. Dry conditions are conducive to the spread of wildfire, so please spend some time collecting branches, leaves, and other natural debris that can help wildfire spread and place them at curbside for pick up. It’s also time to prune mountain laurel and rhododendron, two highly combustible species.
Email Nancy Midgette for pruning tips and to submit your hours (midgette@elon.edu).
Adult Summer Club Picnic on Wednesday, August 5th
The final summer event sponsored by the Montreat Adult Summer Club is the annual summer covered dish picnic. The picnic will be held at Gaither Fellowship Hall at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 5th. Bring a dish to share.
Besides tasty food, the highlight of the picnic is an old-fashioned sing-along led by the Montreat Rockhoppers guitar trio. Don’t miss it.
Updates and Reminders
- The Montreat Stone Bridge Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, August 3rd, at 10:00 am in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will not be live streamed. All are welcome to attend.
- The Montreat Landcare Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 5th, at 9:00 am in the Town Hall Community Room. The meeting will be live streamed. For streaming instructions and the agenda, CLICK HERE. All are welcome to attend.
- The Montreat Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Thursday, August 6th, at 10:30 am in the Town Hall Community Room. This meeting is continued from the July 16th meeting. The meeting will be live streamed. For streaming instructions and the agenda, CLICK HERE. All are welcome 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!
