Pam Brown, Secretary
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on February 16, 2010, at the Montford Community Center on Pearson Drive with a quorum in attendance—David Patterson, acting president, presiding. Also present were board members Pam Brown, secretary; at-large member Joe Newman; Community Resource Officer Katie Beane; Marsha Stickford and Bobby Croom from the City of Asheville; and several other neighbors.
Safety and Security
Officer Katie Beane reported on conducting four Home Security Surveys in Montford during February. This service is available to all neighborhood residents. Katie discussed the recent purse-snatchings and muggings in the Flint Street area and stated that no similar incidents have been reported since the end of January.
Pam Brown updated the group on the Neighborhood Watch. Recent meetings of neighbors in the Flint/Cumberland/Starnes area have resulted in eight new block captains for the NHW for a total of 15 captains covering about 250 housing units. A map showing covered areas is available on the NHW web pages at www.montford.org/nhw/nhw_map.php. A community-wide meeting open to all Montford residents will be held on Tuesday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m. in the Montford Community Center. For more information, see the stories on the front page of this newsletter.
Montford-Soco-Cullowhee Intersection
Bobby Croom of the City of Asheville’s Traffic Engineering Division presented the city’s proposal for improving the safety of motorists and pedestrians at the intersection of Montford Avenue, Soco Street, and Cullowhee Street. Detailed in Bobby’s story on the front page of the newsletter, the proposal emphasizes installing concrete sidewalk extensions at several places around the busy intersection. The extensions will provide access ramps for persons with disabilities. Those present at the meeting asked questions, particularly about where delivery trucks will park, and voiced approval for the proposals. Bobby requested further comments and suggestions from the neighborhood.
City Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator Marsha Stickford provided background on the neighborhood’s work with the city on this intersection, which has been underway for several years. Marsha reminded the group to report to her any unsafe conditions, including potholes and street lights that are not working.
Energy Sustainability
Marcus Renner, project manager for Conservation Pros, an area home performance and building retrofitting company, made a presentation on Sustainability in Historic Homes. The presentation included energy efficiency and the many choices and decisions that homeowners face when they consider reducing their carbon footprint. For more information, visit the website www.conservationpros.com or call 281-7466.
HRC Guidelines
Susan Eggerton reported on the recent follow-up meeting of the MNA-HRC Liaison Committee. She noted that the final draft of the revised Guidelines will be available at the end of February. Read Susan’s article on page 2 of this issue. Watch the Montford list serve, Montford.org, and this newsletter for further information.
I-26 Connector
Lael Gray gave an update on the I-26 Connector and voiced concern that, to date, the Asheville Design Center had not presented the revised plans discussed with the MNA to the city and the NCDOT for feasibility review. See Lael’s article on the front page of this newsletter.
The meeting was adjourned.
