KEY INFORMATION:
- Powerful storm system to impact southeast NC Tuesday afternoon. May impact transportation and Village operations.
- Still hanging on to your Christmas tree? Please take it to the Timber Creek Mulch Site.
- The 2024 trash & yard debris pick-up calendar is now available.
- Duke Energy to test sirens on Wednesday, January 10 between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Test schedule for 2024.
- Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures are to begin on January 11.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
- Golf cart registration renewals were due on January 1, 2024.
- Village offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
- Creek Access Permit renewal applications are due by January 15, 2024.
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
- Save the date for a Project Longevity/Community Care meeting on January 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Safety.
- The annual Village Council retreat is scheduled for February 6 & 7, 2024.
- Old paper tickets will expire on March 31, 2024.
Strong Storm System to Impact SE NC
The National Weather Service Wilmington office has forecast a powerful storm system that will bring heavy rain, strong winds, and possible isolated tornados for southeast NC tomorrow (1/9) afternoon and evening. Coastal impacts may include storm-force winds, large seas, dangerous surf, and minor flooding. Village officials are keeping an eye on the forecast. Depending on the expected conditions, the Village may reduce staffing on the island to essential-only.
Please check Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc.’s website for ferry status updates.
This weather may also cause barge disruptions which could impact delivery of packages to the island. Please use the package tracker to determine if your package has arrived on the island.
If you experience an outage during the storm Duke Energy customers can report it by:
- Using the Duke Energy mobile app
- Visiting http://duke-energy.com
- Texting OUT to 57801
- Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-419-6356
Check local outages in our area by visiting the Outage Map.
Christmas Tree Disposal
If you still have your Christmas tree, please dispose of it at the Timbercreek Mulch Site (map – brown in off N Bald Head Wynd). Dried out Christmas trees are a fire hazard. Nearly 1/3 (34%) of Christmas tree fires in U.S. homes occur in January.
2024 Trash & Yard Debris Schedule
The 2024 trash & yard debris calendar is available online (HERE). Public Works bumped the first yard debris pick up of the year to the second Wednesday, so the first pick-up of the year is going to be on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. If you have yard debris that needs to be picked up, you have until Tuesday 1/9 at 2:00 p.m. to get your request in for 1/10. You can request pick-up online HERE or by calling our customer service representative at (910) 457-9700 ext. 1000.
As a reminder, if you use a contractor/landscaper for yard work the contractor or landscaper is responsible for removing the debris. This service is for property owners with an occupied residence who do their own yard work. When placing debris on the roadside, please be sure not to cover up water meters or any other utility infrastructure.
Duke Energy Siren Test
Duke Energy will be testing outdoor warning sirens around the Brunswick Nuclear Plant on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The test will be a full-volume 5-30 second test. No public action is required.
For more information about the outdoor warning sirens, customers can refer to the information available on this website HERE. On this website, Duke Energy customers can sign up to receive texts about the siren tests and emergency preparedness.
Here is the full list of 2024 Siren Test Dates:
Quarterly full-volume tests (5-30 seconds): January 10, April 10, July 10.
Annual full-volume tests (3 minutes): October 9
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Closures
The NC Department of Transportation will be closing lanes on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge starting on Thursday, January 11, 2024. This will likely impact traffic coming in and out of Wilmington, including transportation to and from Wilmington International Airport. The closures will start with overnight work which is supposed to occur between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Below is the tentative schedule and a link to a video of highlights from the bridge closure briefing that took place in late December 2023.
REMINDERS & EVENTS
Golf Cart Registration Renewals
Golf cart registration renewals were due on January 1, 2024. If you have not yet registered your carts, please do so as soon as possible, you can do it online HERE. Please remember to include your insurance information, mailing address, and VIN. Entering “on file” or “same as last year” is not acceptable.
If you have already submitted your renewal, please be patient as we continue to process approximately 3,500 registrations. Enforcement will not be in full effect until it is understood that all who have taken measures to register their vehicles have the new stickers.
If you have any specific questions about the annual registration process, please contact Elizabeth Gray, Administrative Assistant, at 910-457-5252 or by e-mail at psadmin@villagebhi.org.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Village offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. 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. MLK Day is not an ICE vehicle holiday and the barge is scheduled to run.
Creek Access Permit Renewals Due 1/15
If you had a Creek Access Permit last year, please check your email for your 2024 renewal as applications will be offered online only this year. The due date for 2024 Creek Access Permit renewals is January 15, 2024. Permit fees remain at $150 per permit. If you need to update or verify your email address on file, please reach out to Darcy Sperry, Village Clerk at village.clerk@villagebhi.org.
The online permit needs to be filled out in its entirety before submitting. Once your application is received and processed, you will receive an email with your assigned permit information and a link to pay online. After payment has been made, staff will affix the sticker to the vessel for you. Permits are issued per vessel as opposed to per space.
Next Regular Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Ext.). The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen-in remotely can be found HERE.
Project Longevity/Community Care Meeting
Save the date of January 26, 2024, for a Project Longevity/Community Care meeting that will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Department of Public Safety. Attendees are also invited to dine on their own at Jailhouse Provisions following the meeting. Stay tuned for additional information. Zoom information to view remotely can be found HERE.
Annual Village Council Retreat
The annual Village Council retreat is scheduled for February 6 & 7, 2024 with the regular council meeting taking place at the end of day two. The public is welcome to attend in person or listen-in online via Zoom. The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information is posted HERE.
Old Paper Ticket Expiration
Please take note of this recent announcement from BHI Transportation, Inc.:
Bald Head Island Transportation will STOP accepting two-part (“old”) paper tickets after March 31, 2024. “Old” Bulk 40 tickets (only) may be exchanged for a coupon code through March 31, 2024.
Starting April 1, 2024, only QR-coded “new” tickets and transferred or newly issued passes will be valid for ferry boarding.
Click HERE for the announcement. Click HERE for BHI Transportation’s website.