KEY INFORMATION:
- The Timber Bridge is closed so that stain and sealant can be applied to the new boards.
- According to NCDOT, NC 133 will reopen tomorrow (Friday, September 5).
- The Department of Public Safety administrative office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday for several weeks.
- The Village is still keeping an eye on the tropics – the latest outlook.
- Now that the snorkel extensions are complete, Village Utilities will upgrade grinder pump tanks at properties with concrete tanks.
- Dogs on BHI – a new webpage and a special request on not digging holes in public parks.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
- The BHI barge will be closed on September 10.
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, September 19.
- Operation Medicine Cabinet prescription medication collection is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- The 1st Annual BHI Surf Fishing Tournament is set from October 10-12.
- Halloween trick-or-treating on BHI is scheduled for Saturday, October 25.
- Cape Fear Marathon & Half is scheduled for Sunday, October 26.
Timber Bridge
The Timber Bridge was closed yesterday and is expected to remain closed for at least a week, possibly two. Public Works will be applying stain and sealant to the newer boards. Drivers should use the paved portion of Keelson Row (where the barge landing is) as an alternate route. Updates will be posted on our road closures webpage (HERE) and on social media.
NC 133 to Reopen Tomorrow
NCDOT published a press release yesterday announcing the reopening of a portion of River Road (NC 133) tomorrow (9/5). It has been closed since mid-December.
While it was closed, N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews replaced a drainage pipe with a larger aluminum one. Multiple other pipes were also replaced with a bridge and culvert nearly 400 feet long to make the road and the surrounding area more resilient during storms.
DPS Administrative Office Hours
The Department of Public Safety administrative office will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the next six to eight weeks. As always, please dial 911 if you need a Public Safety Officer to come to you.
Tropical Outlook
The National Hurricane Center is watching showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic, several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, which have started to consolidate and become slightly better organized.
Environmental conditions are conducive for the development of this system during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend over the central tropical Atlantic while moving slowly toward the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph. It has a long way to go before we know of any impact here. Updates are posted HERE.
The Village will continue to monitor the forecast and notify Islanders if action should be taken via the CodeRed notification system (sign up HERE). If you have not started your hurricane season preparations, please do so now. There are several resources on the Village’s website HERE, including the recording of our June hurricane preparedness forum and our podcast episode on hurricane preparedness.
Concrete Sewer Tank Upgrades
Now that snorkel extension installations are complete, Village Utilities is moving forward with another improvement to reduce stormwater inflow and infiltration during excessive rainfall events. The Village has identified 41 properties that have concrete sewer tanks and will be upgrading them with newer grinder pump tanks. This upgrade will result in an improved seal against stormwater intrusion at the grinder pump. Impacted property owners will be receiving a letter in the mail from Village Utilities with additional details.
Dogs on BHI – Digging Holes
In response to numerous inquiries about dogs on BHI (mostly from visitors), the Village created a new webpage under the “Visitors” tab for “Dogs on BHI.” This mirrors the information in our new Visitor’s Guide, which was released earlier this year. We also have a podcast episode dedicated to the topic.
On a related note, the Village has been experiencing issues with dogs digging large holes at Marina Park and Village Common Park. While we welcome dogs in these areas, these parks are also used by humans to walk, run, and play. The large holes left in these parks are a public safety hazard. The holes have also damaged the turf, which interferes with the aesthetic we prefer to keep in these areas. Dogs are permitted to dig to their heart’s content at the Village’s Dog Park located at 230 North Bald Head Wynd. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
Barge Closure
The Bald Head Island Limited, LLC barge office announced that the barge will be closed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Those with reservations were contacted to reschedule.
Next Village Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen in remotely can be found HERE. There will be a public hearing on the draft ICE vehicle and trailer ordinances, as well as a discussion on proposed ICE fees.
Operation Medicine Cabinet
Dosher Memorial Hospital will be having its biannual medication disposal on its main hospital campus on Wednesday, October 1st, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Drop off expired or unwanted prescription medications at the front entrance of the hospital. Sharps will not be accepted.
1st Annual BHI Surf Fishing Tournament
The first annual BHI Surf Fishing Tournament is scheduled for October 10 through October 12. The event is being organized by The Craftsmen Group, LLC. Details and registration for the tournament can be found online HERE.
Proceeds from the tournament will be going to Kids Making It, Inc., a woodworking program for at-risk, low income, and disadvantaged youth.
Halloween on BHI
Trick-or-treating on BHI is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. Bald Head Association’s Education & Recreation Committee volunteers will be coordinating the sign-up and map of participating homes. Details to come.
Cape Fear Marathon & Half
The Cape Fear Marathon & Half is scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details about this race, including the race map, can be found HERE.
Trash Updates
Trash Pick Up – Trash pickup will go to once weekly next week; the Village was able to get additional pick-ups this week. Starting next week, pick-up will be on Monday and Tuesday only. Biweekly pick up will resume after Memorial Day 2026. View the Village’s trash and vegetation pick up calendar HERE. This includes an up-to-date map of the pickup areas.
Compactor Access – The gate to access the trash compactor is now closed daily. It will be open the following days and hours:
- Monday – Friday, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM
The compactors are not meant for paint, lawn chairs, construction debris, or yard debris. All materials that can be recycled should be placed in the receptacles for recycling, which are accessible 24/7. Only cardboard should go in the cardboard receptacles, and co-mingled materials should not be bagged. Please help the Village keep this area clean. Do not leave items outside the gate.
The reasoning behind closing the gates to the compactors is to allow for more monitoring of the usage and types of waste going into the Village’s waste stream. The gates are closed when Public Works staff are not on-site to monitor.
Public Works has been leaving a truck outside the gate to accommodate folks who were adjusting to the new schedule, which was put in place on July 18. The truck was intended to be temporary.
Hazardous Waste – As previously reported, on June 1, 2025, the Village stopped accepting hazardous waste drop-offs daily. Hazardous waste includes batteries (all sizes – even golf cart), paint, chemicals, and electronics (more detailed list HERE).
The fall dates have been determined and are November 20 and 21. If there is a weather delay, the alternate dates are December 4 and 5.
The Village has added these dates to its Trash & Vegetation Pick Up Calendar and Village Calendar, and as soon as the spring dates are arranged, we will publish this information.
If you have a property manager or trusted neighbor who handles maintenance and post-storm activities, you should be able to use these folks to help you get any hazardous waste items turned in during the designated dates.