A consultant's report just released by Waynesville's governing board concludes that consolidation of Lake Junaluska Assembly and Waynesville would benefit and is in the best long term interest of both parties.

Martin-McGill's assessment findings report for the Town of Waynesville/Lake Junaluska Assembly Public Works/Utilities Consolidation was presented by Jessica Martin at the town board's annual retreat Friday. The second of two public input sessions on the proposed merger was also held.

Lake Junaluska officials approached Waynesville almost a year ago about the possibility of consolidating the 100-year-old religious retreat with Waynesville. Of the three speakers Friday, one lives at Lake Junaluska and one is a Junaluska property owner who lives in Waynesville, and both favor merger.