In this issue:
- Highlights of the April Village Council regular meeting.
- Beach bonfire season ends on 4/30 – please take note of BHI Conservancy’s turtle and shorebird nesting season guidance & Village ordinances.
- Golf cart registration update – enforcement delayed through June.
- Beach access maintenance update.
- Earth Day and Arbor Day were observed on BHI! Thank you to all who participated!
Reminders & Events:
- REMINDER: There will be a Village Council Special Meeting/Budget Workshop this Wednesday, April 22, at 9:00 a.m.
- Carolinas Rip Current Awareness Week is April 26 – May 2.
- The last day to apply for a beach bonfire permit is Wednesday, April 29.
- Dosher Hospital will be on the island to present on Fall Prevention.
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, May 15, 2026.
- Village offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.
- The first hazardous waste collection of the year is coming up on June 4 & 5.
- Grilling safety tips.
Village Council Regular Meeting
The Village Council conducted its last regular meeting on Friday, April 17, 2026. Below is a review of the special presentations and a few of the actions taken:
Presentations
- An update from the Village’s governmental affairs consultants, The Ferguson Group and Ward & Smith.
- The 2026 Brunswick County Schools Bond presentation from Superintendent Dale Cole.
- Dr. Chris Shank, serving in his role as Executive Director for the Smith Island Land Trust (SILT), gave a presentation titled Smith Island Land Trust Land Preservation Priorities.
- Village Manager, Chris McCall, showed maps of similar properties to the recently cleared properties at Muscadine & Federal (M1 lot) and Federal Road & East Beach Road (3100 Lot). These properties are platted for potential future development and would also fall under the Village’s regulatory framework as far as lot clearing activities, zoning, and permitted uses for land use. He explained why the M1 lot was not reviewed by the Commercial Review Board (it’s solely residential) and took questions from the Council. It is possible that amendments to the Village’s zoning ordinances could be made to guide the future development of these properties, if state law allows (Village Council later moved to have a public hearing on a potential development moratorium so the Village can explore its options).
Mr. McCall acknowledged that Islanders have questions about development and that Village staff could assist with that. Staff is looking into whether its current website and software platforms could accommodate a citizen portal like other municipalities offer, which allows the public to search by property to find documents related to development activity, which are public records (right now, those can be requested directly, info HERE). There is also a sunshine list in which Islanders can sign up to receive notices for meetings and public hearings of Village boards (more HERE). Staff is working on an educational piece that will go over the different types of development decisions and the process. This article (or series, if necessary) will likely appear in BHA’s Salt & Oaks publication, posted on the Development Services webpage, and linked in future Village’s Voice e-newsletters or announcements.
Some of the Actions Taken
- Village Council adopted the Consent Agenda, which included – Council retreat, regular and closed session minutes from March, and the 2026 Arbor Day Proclamation.
- Village Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the FY2026 Budget Ordinance Fee Schedule, updating internal combustion engine (ICE) fees and adding special use permit fees for certain types of vehicles. The amendment was adopted as presented.
- Village Council conducted a public hearing on proposed text amendments to Chapter 9 of the Village’s Code of Ordinances. The amendments were adopted as presented.
- Village Council continued its consideration of approving a Surety Agreement with Whitney Blair Custom Homes, LLC, to the scheduled Special Meeting for April 22; this item will precede the Budget Workshop.
- The Village Council called a Public Hearing to discuss and possibly take action to impose a development moratorium.
A full recap with additional details is posted monthly on our website HERE and is typically completed prior to the publication of the monthly Village’s Voice. Staff expects to post this month’s recap along with the recap of Wednesday’s Budget Workshop early next week. In the meantime, all questions and requests for information should go to public.information@villagebhi.org.
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).
Shorebird & Turtle Nesting Season Info
Beach bonfire season ends on April 30th, and the last day to request a permit is April 29, this year. As of today (4/20), the statewide burn ban issued on March 28 is still in effect, so no burn permits have been issued in several weeks. As beach bonfire season ends, turtle nesting season begins on May 1 and ends on November 15. Shorebird nesting season has been underway since March 1 and ends August 31.
Shorebirds
BHI is home to more than 200 bird species, among them are Wilson’s Plovers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers. These birds nest right in the sand, so their eggs and chicks can be easy to miss. The BHI Conservancy (BHIC) has roped-off areas, signs, and has monitors in place to protect these species. Please stay out of posted areas, use designated beach accesses, keep dogs leashed, and give nesting birds plenty of space. If you spot a nest outside a designated area, call BHIC’s Wildlife Hotline at (910) 269-3433. Read more about shorebird nesting season HERE.
Sea Turtle Tips & Laws
- Turtles Dig the Dark – Do not shine any light, including red light, on nesting moms or hatchlings.
- Red Lights Only – Only red lights are allowed on the beach (per Village ordinance).
- Fill Up Holes & Pick Up Trash – Holes are dangerous to nesting moms, hatchlings, and our team!
- Turn Off Beach Front House Lights – Brightly lit houses can disorient moms and hatchlings.
- Report Any Turtle Activity – Call (910) 269-3433 – it is illegal to touch sea turtles.
- Per Village ordinance, during turtle season, dogs on the beach must be on a leash from sunset to sunrise, and all beach equipment must be removed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and at least 10 feet away from sea turtle nests.
Golf Cart Registration Update
The Village is still in the midst of transitioning to its new golf cart registration system and training new staff, and new to the system staff on assisting cart owners. We estimate that over 85 percent of golf carts active in the system are now registered through 2027. Thank you to all who have registered!
There are still some cart owners who did not receive the account pin numbers to register their existing carts, many carts that changed owners in 2025 that never registered with either Village system, and then a few issues we are still working to resolve through the vendor with payment processing and missing stickers.
We appreciate Islanders’ patience as we continue to work through each issue with each cart owner who has contacted the Village. Due to the pending resolution of issues, the Village will not be enforcing registrations until July 1, 2026. We will be following up with additional details and guidance in the next few weeks.
Issues can still be communicated to Village staff by emailing golfcart@villlagebhi.org.
Road Maintenance to Begin in May
As previously reported, this year’s fall paving project was postponed since the temperatures during the fall scheduled paving timeframe were too low to lay asphalt. The Village’s paving contractor is expected to do the wedging, milling, and paving from May 5 through May 11, and from May 11 through May 15, the Village contractor will be performing road shoulder work on 39 roads throughout the island.
Below is a list of the work that will be done:
- Muscadine / S Bald Heady Wynd – 3” Mill & Pave – 1,500 SY
- Edward Teach Wynd Ext – 3” Mill & Pave – 110 SY (2 areas)
- Tanbark Ct. 2” Mill & Pave – 573 SY
- Shoulder work on 39 roads throughout the island.
Please note that the Village has funds in its annual budget to address potholes. Requests for pothole repair can be made online via our service request portal HERE (the hammer icon on our website homepage), or by calling us at (910) 457-9700 ext. 1000.
Beach Access Maintenance Update
Over the last several weeks, the Village’s contractor has been working to extend several beach access crossovers. Currently, beach accesses 21, 24, 26, and 39 are completed. The remaining 3 beach accesses (15, 19, and 20) should be completed around mid-May.
Each year, the Village surveys its beach accesses to determine needs, prioritizes the ones that need repair, and selects a handful to include in the annual budget. If you notice any repair needs at the beach accesses, please submit a service request so the Village can evaluate and address the needs as soon as possible. You can submit a service request online HERE.
This year, the Village heard from an adjacent property owner of one of the accesses that was still under construction. The property owner had observed several beachgoers using their private beach access and walking through the property. The Village will be adding content to its various communications channels advising beachgoers not to use private accesses and has shared the public beach access map. If you observe anyone trespassing on private property, please call 911. Even if our PSOs do not arrive on the scene in time to locate the trespassers, their presence can help prevent future occurrences and aid in determining the need for increased patrols in certain areas.
Earth Day and Arbor Day on BHI
BHI held its annual Earth Day Festival at Marina Park on Friday, April 10th. There were over 130 participants, and several organizations participated. Many thanks to Heather Bariso at the BHI Conservancy for organizing the event and Betsi Stephen for her assistance and presence at the Bee City USA booth. In addition to the various organizations that provide educational material (Museum of Coastal Carolina, Brunswick County Soil and Water Conservation, N.C. Cooperative Extension, Sandbar Oyster Company, etc.) there were new plants to be installed in the pollinator garden. Ms. Stephen was pleased to report at the 4/17 Council Meeting that those plants were made possible by a grant from the Georgetown University Retired Faculty Fund, which granted a sizeable amount of funds for the spring planting of the garden. Fifty grant-funded plants were planted thanks to the help of BHI Conservancy staff.
BHI held its annual Arbor Day Ceremony with a tree planting at the Department of Public Safety on Friday, April 17, just before the Council’s meeting. Mayor Quinn read the Arbor Day Proclamation aloud. National Arbor Day will be celebrated this Friday, April 24, 2026, and it is not too late for you to plan a way to celebrate on your own. HERE are a few ideas.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
Budget Workshop
The first budget workshop is scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Extension). Those who cannot attend in person can view the meeting on Zoom (HERE). If a second workshop is needed, it will take place on June 11.
Like last year, the Village will assist taxpayers in keeping up with the budget process by placing all the meeting/workshop information, documents, and resources in one place. Our “Annual Budget” webpage can be found HERE. Taxpayers will have access to the budget schedule, video of the budget workshop(s), presentation slides, meeting minutes, and any additional information produced as part of the Council’s deliberation on the FY27budget. Taxpayers are encouraged to submit questions and comments.
Carolinas Rip Current Awareness Week
National Weather Service offices throughout the Carolinas will be hosting Carolinas Rip Current Awareness Week, April 26 – May 2. Daily topics will be shared on the NWS social media channels. Our local office, NWS Wilmington’s Facebook page, can be found HERE. This is page not just a great resource during Rip Current Awareness Week, but a year-round resource for local weather conditions and advisories. You can help multiply the effectiveness of their message by sharing NWS rip current information on your own social media. More information on the daily topics can be found HERE.
For the last few years, the Village has been advising beachgoers to “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.” This means that those who are headed to the beach should know the weather conditions, especially if they are planning on getting in the water. The Village’s website includes dedicated webpages for beach safety, which include a beach forecast page with the NWS Wilmington rip current risk information in real time. East Beach and South Beach often have different risk levels. You can view the Village’s beach forecast webpage HERE.
Rip Current brochures are also available in the lobbies at Village Hall and the Department of Public Safety.
Fall Prevention Education
Dosher Memorial will be doing a presentation on Fall Prevention for Islanders on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Department of Public Safety.
Next Village Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held in the multi-purpose room in the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Ext.). The agenda for the meeting will be posted HERE. Zoom information for listening remotely can be found HERE.
If you are unable to attend, we will be publishing a written recap HERE, and there will be a podcast episode covering the highlights.
Memorial Day Holiday
Offices closed – Village offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial 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.
Trash Pick-Up – The Village’s solid waste contractor will go to the twice-weekly pick-up schedule starting May 25. So those who are on a Monday pick-up will also get a pick-up on Thursdays, and those who are on a Tuesday pick-up will also get a pick-up on Fridays through Labor Day.
Hazardous Waste Collection
This year, hazardous waste will be accepted at Public Works for four days, Thursday and Friday, June 4 & 5, and Thursday and Friday, November 19 & 20, at the Public Works Department (271 Edward Teach Ext.). During the first drop-off event last year, they had folks line up near the trash compactors. The vendor’s semi-truck is hard to miss. Times are to be determined since the barge cannot be reserved this far in advance. If there are barge delays or another circumstance in which the days need to be rescheduled, the Village will send out an announcement. Additional details can be found on the Village website HERE.
Grilling Safety
Outdoor grilling is one of the best activities of spring and summer, and it’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. A grill that is placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. Hot grills can also cause burn injuries. Medical and fire emergencies are two things we all want to avoid on Bald Head Island.
The Village’s Fire Prevention Ordinance (Section 12-53) states:
Cooking fires contained within a commercially available, solid-fuel burning, portable, outdoor cooking appliance, but only to the extent that such portable appliance shall be located at least ten (10) feet from any structure and within twenty-five (25) feet of a permanent water source connected to a hose that is able to reach the location of the appliance, and shall not be located upon any wood or composite deck or balcony attached to such structure or underneath any roofed structure, including any porch, awning, or balcony overhang of a structure.
Following the Village’s ordinance will reduce fire emergencies and property damage caused by grills and ensure that islanders can quickly respond to any mishaps that may occur when grilling out. Violating this ordinance could result in a $500 fine.
Here are a few grilling tips from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA):
- Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
- The grill should be placed well away from the home, and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
For more information about grilling safety and other fire safety topics, go to nfpa.org/education. Also, check out the Village of Bald Head Island YouTube channel for a short grilling safety video.
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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