In this issue:
- Highlights from the June Village Council regular meeting.
- Thank you to all who attended the “Push-In” Ceremony for the new fire trucks!
- Tips for beating the heat this summer.
- Hurricane season is here! We have several resources to help you prepare.
- Village Utilities has released its annual drinking water quality report.
- Shoreline escarpment remediation continues.
- The Island Package Center & Post Office wants islanders to know that express shipping is not available and that there is a 30-day return policy for packages.
- Your feedback is needed to help develop the update to the Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Reminders & Events:
- Join us this Friday, June 27, for Public Safety Day! We will be at Marina Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Village offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. Where to find details about the Old Baldy Foundation’s annual Golf Cart Parade and BHIT’s 4th of July ferry schedule.
- Mark your calendar for SummerLife BHI, youth activities taking place in July!
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, July 18, 2025.
- The BHI Yacht Club Summer Concert Series continues through July 23.
- REMINDER: As previously reported, Public Works no longer accepts hazardous waste outside of scheduled drop-off weeks, which are TBD.
Village Council Regular Meeting
The Village Council conducted its last regular meeting on Friday, June 20, 2025. A full recap with additional details is on our website HERE.
Below are a few highlights:
- The Village Council unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget ordinance.
- The Village Council unanimously adopted a capital reserve fund ordinance, which sets up a fund to accumulate funds for specific capital outlay purposes, which includes funds for the establishment and maintenance of streets, roads, and rights-of-way, including providing parking facilities and paving.
- The Village Council unanimously adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 28, Sec. 29-9 (1) – Transition Compliance for ICE Vehicles. This addresses the transition schedule in the Village’s transportation ordinance that requires compliance by July 1, 2025.
- Village Council received recommendations from Village Staff on changes to the regulations on ICE vehicles and trailers. The Council will be submitting questions and feedback to staff. A duly noticed public hearing will be conducted prior to Council action.
A full account of these meetings can be found in the minutes, which are posted HERE. Typically, minutes are posted with the agenda of next month’s meeting (e.g. If you want to read the December meeting minutes, they can be found under the January regular meeting agenda).
Push In Ceremony
The new ladder truck and pumper truck arrived via barge this past Saturday (6/21), and the “Push In” Ceremony celebrating the arrival of the trucks took place yesterday. The BHI community truly showed up for this meaningful occasion, celebrating a proud and time-honored tradition. It is a tradition that goes back to the 1800s when fire wagons were pulled by horses, and after returning from a call, firefighters had to physically push the wagon back into the station because horses couldn’t easily back in.
Chief Gibson’s remarks highlighted what makes BHI so special. “We’re more than just a public safety department; we’re part of a close-knit community, one that values safety, resilience, and service above all. The new apparatuses represent an investment in that safety, a symbol of our continued readiness to serve every corner of this beautiful island.” Gibson expressed the department’s deepest gratitude to the Public Service Auxiliary and the many community members who stepped forward with generous contributions. He mentioned the 2021 fundraiser at Joe Elphick’s home that featured Mary Porter’s singing and performing talents. “All of this community support helped make the purchase of these life-saving apparatuses possible. These trucks are not just tools-it is a testament to what we can accomplish when we stand together with purpose and unity,” said Gibson.
Gibson thanked the Village’s leadership team, and in thanking his public safety team, he asked Lieutenant Steve Barger to speak more about the process of specifying the trucks and the build process. Barger, along with Lieutenant Paul Swanson, was involved in the early stages of getting the trucks built and was instrumental in specifying and customizing the trucks to ensure they met the department’s operational needs and safety standards. Barger dedicated countless hours reviewing configurations, coordinating with vendors, and making sure every detail supports the department’s mission to serve and protect the island.
Before the capable and willing crowd of Islanders, PSA members, and volunteers pushed the trucks into the bays, Chaplain Ken Chester was introduced. Chester is the new full-time chaplain for the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island and has also volunteered to serve as the Department of Public Safety’s chaplain. Chaplain Chester asked the volunteers and PSA members to lay hands on the new trucks and gave a blessing over the new trucks. After the push, attendees got to take a closer look at the trucks and the equipment and were served cake and refreshments courtesy of the Public Service Auxiliary volunteers.
If you missed this event, you may view our short video HERE. The new trucks will be parked at Marina Park this Friday, 6/27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for Public Safety Day.
Tips for Staying Cool
The National Weather Service has already issued an extreme heat warning this first week of summer. Please stay safe out there and follow the following tips for beating the heat:
- Drink lots (and lots) of water.
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothes.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Know the signs of heat illness — cramps, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. If you feel off, cool down immediately and seek help if needed. Please call 911 if you need Public Safety, we will come to you!
Hurricane Season is Here
Thank you to all who attended the Village’s Hurricane Preparedness Forum on June 11. We had very informative guest speakers and received several great questions from the audience!
If you missed it, the recording is available on YouTube HERE. The Village’s slides can be viewed and downloaded HERE. Take some time to review this information and all the information on the Village’s emergency preparedness webpage HERE.
The Village’s first podcast geared toward residents and property owners is about hurricane preparedness and reviews key info from last week’s forum and the Village’s website. HERE is a direct link to the episode. You can view a list of all our episodes HERE. If you use a podcast app, we are on several (Apple, Podbean, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and more). You should be able to find us by searching “Bald Head Island.”
The Village tested the CodeRED notification system tonight (Wednesday, June 25, 2025) at 7:00 p.m. to validate the information in the notification database. If you did not receive the test message but know you have signed up, please check your account to make sure your contact information is up to date. You can do this by going to the registration page (HERE) and clicking “Login” at the top right of the page. If you have not signed up yet, it’s not too late. You can sign up HERE.
Drinking Water Quality Report
Village Utilities has released its annual water quality report (CCR – Consumer Confidence Report). It can be viewed HERE. It is posted on the Utilities webpage, and the link to view it will be included in the next utility bill.
Shoreline Escarpment Remediation
The Village’s contractor will be back on the beach with heavy equipment starting Thursday, 6/26, to remediate the escarpment (sharp drop-offs) along the shoreline. The escarpment affects sea turtles’ ability to navigate up the shoreline to lay their nests. This action is being initiated to comply with permits from state and federal regulatory agencies. Beachgoers are advised to keep their distance from the equipment as it moves down the beach.
IPC/PO Notices
There is no express shipping from the island, and there is no express delivery to the island.
Express shipping only guarantees delivery to Deep Point, not your address on the island.
Because inbound packages arrive on the island via barge and ferry, and those are both prone to delays, there is no express delivery to Bald Head Island.
Please pick up your packages promptly. Due to limited space in our facility on the island, please pick up your packages after you know they have arrived. You can check the status of your package(s) online HERE.
ALL packages that are not picked up within 30 days are automatically returned to the sender, no exceptions.
Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Survey
Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender Counties and their associated municipalities (including Bald Head Island) are working together to become less vulnerable to natural disasters. The counties, along with local jurisdictions and other partners, are working to update the previous Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan identifies and assesses the region’s natural hazard risks and identifies strategies that determine how to best minimize or manage those risks. You can find more information about the plan HERE.
Your participation in the process is important to us! Please consider responding to the public survey HERE. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process. The information you provide will help us better understand your hazard concerns and can lead to mitigation activities designed to help lessen the impacts of future hazard events.
If you have any questions regarding this survey or would like to learn about more ways you can participate in the development of the Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, please contact Nathan Slaughter, Project Manager at nslaughter@espassociates.com.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
Public Safety Day
Join us this Friday, June 27, for our annual Public Safety Day! We will be at Marina Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It’s always a fun and educational event for the whole family. We will have our Department of Public Safety’s apparatus and equipment on display, activities for kids, and educational information, including a hurricane preparedness booth. We have invited several local agencies to join us to show everyone their stuff! The Public Service Auxiliary will be serving free food; donations will be appreciated.
Independence Day
Offices closed – Village offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. This includes the Island Package Center & Post Office and Public Safety administration. Please call 911 if you need a Public Safety Officer to come to you.
IPC/PO Schedule – The IPC/PO will be open on Saturday, July 5. Please note that the IPC/PO is closed from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
NO FIREWORKS – Fireworks are not allowed on Bald Head Island. This includes sparklers.
Golf Cart Parade – Details about Old Baldy Foundation’s annual Golf Cart Parade can be found HERE. The parade will take place on Friday, the 4th, this year.
Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. has released its 4th of July schedule. You can view it HERE.
SummerLife BHI
We’re excited to announce SummerLife, a fantastic opportunity for high school students to have fun and connect this JULY!
Activities include a beach day with beach volleyball and soccer, a game night and cookout at Public Safety, a scavenger hunt and drive-in movies, and a night at BHI Club with a pool party, games, pizza, music, and more!
This program is generously sponsored by several island organizations, including the Village of Bald Head Island and its Department of Public Safety, the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island, the BHI Club, BHI Conservancy, Wendy Wilmot Properties, and Bald Head Island Services.
Sign-up information and additional details HERE.
Next Village Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen in remotely can be found HERE.
BHI Yacht Club Summer Concert Series
The BHI Yacht Club 2025 Summer Concert Series continues with The Tonez performing tonight, and Snapback will be on the island on Thursday, July 10. The Village is a sponsor; we have law enforcement there and our own booth (not tonight). Come say hi! View the event poster HERE.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
As previously reported, on June 1, 2025, the Village stopped accepting hazardous waste drop-offs daily. Hazardous waste includes paint, chemicals, and electronics. The Village will be scheduling specific weeks during the year in which this type of waste will be collected from property owners at Public Works and promptly taken off-island.
This is a common practice for counties and municipalities on the mainland and helps protect the collection area from contamination.
We expect to have a week in the fall and a week in the spring scheduled each year, with Fall 2025 being the first week of collections. The Village will add the drop-off schedule to its Trash & Vegetation Pick Up Calendar and Village Calendar, and as soon as the dates are arranged, we will publish this information.
Bald Head Association events can be found HERE.
Old Baldy Foundation events can be found HERE.
BHI Conservancy events can be found HERE.
Village Chapel events can be found HERE.
Project Longevity event info HERE.
The Village calendar can be found HERE.
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