December Town Council Meeting 12/11/25

Montreat Town Council Meeting Recap: December 11, 2025

The Montreat Town Council convened on December 11th, 2025, for a meeting that combined public input, routine business approvals, and discussions on ongoing community projects. The session began with a moment of silence and featured presentations from the Montreat Tree Board, resident comments, and several unanimous votes on key initiatives. This recap aims to provide a clear overview of the meeting's proceedings and their potential impact on Montreat residents.

A significant portion of the evening was dedicated to community engagement, beginning with a presentation from Ashley Manson representing the Montreat Tree Board. Manson highlighted two exciting collaborations: a partnership with the American Chestnut Foundation to evaluate potential planting sites for blight-resistant chestnut trees – a nod to Montreat’s historical abundance of these trees – and a joint effort with Swannanoo Valley Wild (SVW) to plant $10,000 worth of new trees throughout the town. Residents were encouraged to contact Manson with suggestions for planting locations, and the Tree Board will be participating in the Land Care Festival and Arbor Day Celebration on April 11, 2026. Following the presentation, resident Will Hamilton raised concerns about recent construction activities related to Mr. Burns' conditional zoning request, specifically citing deviations from the submitted site plan. A potential compromise solution will be discussed at the January meeting.

The Council took several important votes during the formal portion of the meeting. They unanimously approved the agenda for the public forum, as well as a consent agenda that included approval of minutes from previous meetings. A key decision was the postponement of Mr. Burns’ conditional zoning request to January 8, 2026, allowing for further discussion and consideration of resident concerns. The Council also approved a $87,356.94 loan from First Bank to finance the purchase of a Kubota tractor for Public Works Director Barry, and unanimously approved Budget Amendment #5, which includes FEMA reimbursement of $107,265.25 for Calvin Trail repairs and allocates $10,000 to the general fund for excavator payments. Finally, seven regular members and two alternates were appointed to the Stonebridge Advisory Committee, which will guide aesthetic improvements to town bridges.

Beyond formal votes, several updates provided valuable context for residents. Town Manager Savannah Robinson reported continued progress in securing FEMA reimbursements for storm-related repairs, emphasizing the urgency of completing these projects. The pedestrian bridge projects on Texas Road and Arbor Lane have moved into the "obligation" phase, securing funding. The Council also received a clean audit report from Carter, PC, with two minor compliance findings related to pre-audit certificates and contractor e-verify requirements. Looking ahead, staff has begun the budget process with plans for early community involvement next year, and town offices will be closed for Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

What's Next? Residents interested in contributing to the tree planting initiatives are encouraged to contact Ashley Manson. The contentious issue of Mr. Burns’ conditional zoning request will be revisited at the January 8, 2026 meeting. The newly appointed Stonebridge Advisory Committee will begin their work guiding aesthetic improvements to town bridges, and residents can expect opportunities for engagement in the upcoming budget discussions. For those seeking further details or clarification, the full meeting transcript and supporting documents are available at Town Hall.