What's inside this issue?

• BHI Transportation applies to the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) for approval of revisions to passenger ferry schedule.
• BHA asks for member feedback regarding BHI Transportation's proposed passenger ferry/tram schedule change — complete the survey by Friday, March 1.
• Village of BHI's 2024 G.O. Bond Referendum — helpful links, important dates and voting information.
• BHI Club — G.O. bond referendum questions and answers.
• BHA 2024 assessment deadline has now passed.
• BHA's Association Center renovation update.
• Don't miss — February Island Report.
• Events.
• BHA quick links (ARC and BHA committees) and Board meetings.
• Handy Bald Head Island website links.

BHI Transportation Applies to the

NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) for

Approval of Revisions to Passenger Ferry Schedule

On February 19, 2024, Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. (BHIT) applied to the NCUC for approval of revisions to the regular passenger ferry/tram schedules to 45-minute departures. Click on the links to view these items:

• The BHIT application to the NCUC (HERE).
• The proposed 45-minute summer schedule (HERE).
• The proposed 45-minute winter schedule (HERE)
• BHIT website (HERE) with all of these announcements.

As noted by BHIT, "A change to the passenger ferry schedule has been filed with the NCUC to improve ferry system reliability. The current schedule remains in effect pending a NCUC determination at which time the ferry/tram booking calendar for the remainder of the year will be updated."

Click on the buttons below for BHIT's website and the NCUC Docket A-41 Sub 23 web page that includes filings and consumer statements.

BHA Asks for Member Feedback

Regarding BHI Transportation's Proposed

Passenger Ferry/Tram Schedule Change

~ Complete the Survey by Friday, March 1 ~

BHI Transportation (BHIT) has applied to the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) for approval of revisions to the regular passenger ferry/tram schedules to 45-minute departures. BHA encourages members to read BHIT's filed application (click HERE). Once informed, please provide BHA with your feedback by completing the survey below. Survey results and comments will be forwarded to the NCUC. The survey deadline is Friday, March 1, at 12:00pm.

Village of BHI's 2024 G.O. Bond Referendum

Vote on Tuesday, March 5, 2024



~ Early Voting Period Continues through March 2 ~

Brief Background

The Village of Bald Head Island is planning for a coastal storm damage reduction (CSDR) project in the winter of 2024-25. The full project as proposed will use Jay Bird Shoals to supply the project with approximately 1 million cubic yards of beach-quality sand. The sand will be placed east of the terminal groin along South Beach, down through the area where the sand tube groins are installed. It will restart east of Muscadine Wynd and will fill to the east end of the Shoals Club.

Read more about the background, with additional resources and quick links for the December Town Hall video and slides, an overview article, statements of disclosure and more on the Village's 2024 Bond Referendum web page HERE.

A Bond Referendum

A bond referendum is a voting process that gives voters the power to decide if a municipality should be authorized to raise funds through the sale of bonds, for specific purposes. A general obligation (G.O.) bond is long-term borrowing in which a municipality pledges its full faith and credit (taxing power) to repay the debt over a specified term. G.O. bonds are the least costly financing option available to the Village to finance major capital costs and offer significant savings to taxpayers over the repayment period. 

During the upcoming March 5, 2024, primary Bald Head Island voters will be able to vote YES or NO on two questions. To read the questions, click HERE.

Questions?

The Village is still taking questions. Please send them to GOBOND@villagebhi.org.

The questions and answers will be posted on the 2024 Bond Referendum web page (click on the button below) and will be updated as more questions are received. The questions are being separated by category (finance/tax, shoreline and bond referendum).

Important Dates:

February 15, 2024 – Early voting period starts.

February 27, 2024 – Absentee ballot request deadline (5:00pm).*

March 2, 2024 – Early voting period ends.

March 5, 2024 – The referendum will take place. Absentee ballot return deadline is 7:30pm.* (NOTE: absentee ballots must be RECEIVED BY this deadline, not postmarked by this deadline.)

By March 15, 2024 – Canvass of returns by Board of Elections.

For the Brunswick County Board of Elections web page, click HERE.

BHI Club

G.O. Bond Referendum Questions & Answers

For the BHI Club's answers to questions about the G.O. Bond referendum, visit the BHI Club's web page HERE. Questions and comments can be submitted to the BHI Club HERE.

BHA News

BHA's 2024 Assessment Deadline Has Now Passed

For 2024, BHA's basic assessments remained the same as last year. A home is $570.00, and a lot is $190.00. Please note that BHA's 2024 assessments were due February 15, 2024. BHA allows a 30-day grace period for assessments, so late fees and interest do not begin to accrue on outstanding balances until March 15, 2024. Thank you to all who have already paid! For any questions, contact Leigh Ann Fink at 910-457-4676, ext. 27 or email her HERE.

BHA's Association Center Renovation Update

BHA's Association Center renovations are continuing to progress well, following the flooding that occurred late last year. Work on refinishing the flooring has been going on this week. Watch this space for more updates.

Don't miss!

• Love the wild.
• BHI native plant series feature — Coastal Redcedar.
• ARC — Updated lighting guidelines and ARC's 2023 stats.
• Monthly ARC Quiz.
• President's Letter.
• 2024 BHA annual assessments.
• Keeping data secure.
• BHI's lending library.
• Monthly contributors — the Village of BHI, Old Baldy Foundation and the BHI Conservancy.
• Plus much more!

Due to flooding in BHA's Association Center,

all activities are being temporarily relocated during renovations. For the latest updates, check our online event calendar for location information.

Bees, Birds and Butterflies Presentation

Tuesday, February 27

1:00-2:00pm

BHI Conservancy's Fleming Room

The BHI Garden Club will host coastal scientist Allison Polinski and coastal educator Heather Bariso at the Fleming Room of the BHI Conservancy (700 Federal Road) on Tuesday, February 27, from 1:00-2:00pm. They'll be discussing the various pollinators (bees, birds and butterflies) and the flowering plants that are native to our Island. All are welcome! Please RSVP to Barbara Giera or Grace Valentine.

BHI Conservancy Hosts

"Shew’s Natural Treasures: The Coastal Plain of Southeastern North Carolina"

Thursday, February 29, 6:00-9:00pm

The Bald Head Island Conservancy is hosting Roger Shew, senior lecturer of geology at UNCW’s Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences, and Jess Bradley, Director of Media Productions UNCW, to showcase the new documentary "Shew's Natural Treasures: The Coastal Plain of Southeastern North Carolina." There will be a Q&A with Roger Shew and film director, Jesse Bradley, after the film.

Doors open at 5:30pm. The event will be held at BHI Conservancy's Fleming Environmental Education Center (700 Federal Rd). The event is FREE, but registration is needed at this link. Contact info@bhic.org for additional information.

Community Potluck Dinner

Monday, March 11, 6:00pm

~ NEW LOCATION ~

BHI Conservancy's Fleming Environmental Center

Join us for the next Community Potluck Dinner on Monday, March 11, at 6:00pm. The event has been relocated to the BHI Conservancy's Fleming Environmental Center (700 Federal Road). Featured speaker is BHI Conservancy’s Executive Director Chris Shank, who will discuss “Barrier Islands: Past, Present & Future” at 7:00pm.

All are invited! Help spread the word. Make new friends and join those you've known for years. For any questions, contact F.A. McLeod.

Garden Club Field Trip to Shelton Herb Farm

Wednesday, March 13

8:30am Ferry / 10:00am Tour

RSVP by Monday, March 4

The Garden Club is back in action on Wednesday, March 13, taking a field trip to Shelton Herb Farm! You'll tour the farm and make your own herb container garden to bring home. The cost is only $40 and includes a 14” bowl, an assortment of herbs, potting soil and lots of instruction. Attendees should bring a bag lunch, a sun hat, garden gloves and a smock or apron. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Attendees need to be at the farm by 10:00am, so folks should take the 8:30am passenger ferry. The plan is to carpool to Shelton Herb Farm in Leland, which takes about 30 minutes from Southport. The visit should last two hours. Then we plan to stay and eat our bag lunches on their picnic tables.

RSVP by Monday, March 4, to Barbara Giera (click HERE) or Grace Valentine (click HERE).

BHI Conservancy's Third Annual

Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium

Tuesday, April 9

Session One 8:30am-12:00pm at BHA's Association Center

Session Two 5:30-8:00pm at the BHI Club

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Annual Johnston Coastal Sustainability Symposium. This year’s theme is “Bald Head Island 2063,” as the BHI Conservancy addresses the most pressing concerns for the next 40 years and how the natural systems of Bald Head Island might respond. 

The Symposium will be held Tuesday, April 9, and will be divided into two sessions: a morning session at BHA's Association Center (111 Lighthouse Wynd) from 8:30am-12:00pm and an evening session at the BHI Club (1 Saltmeadow Trail) from 5:30-8:00pm. (Note that reservations through the BHI Club will be required.) Attendees will hear from guest speakers across a spectrum of coastal sustainability areas, including environmental writer David Gessner and Johnston Graduate Fellow in Coastal Sustainability Kimmy Hanson.

A huge thank you to Dick and Pat Johnston for sponsoring the Bald Head Island Conservancy’s Coastal Sustainability Center Initiative. For more information about the symposium, click HERE.

Picture Book Writing Retreat

May 3-5

Only 8 spaces available!

"Everyone has a story; what's yours?" Join Jenny Bowman, children's book author and editor for a

Picture Book Writing Retreat May 3-5. The retreat is open to 12 participants. Visit HERE to learn more about this special event on Bald Head Island. For questions, contact Betsi Stephen HERE.

Yoga Classes

~ Classes are paused until Association Center reopens ~

Once yoga classes resume, they will continue to be taught by Pam Moulin on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:45am-1:00pm.

Pam has 36 years of experience as a fitness instructor and 19 years of experience as a yoga instructor, and she's been teaching yoga on Bald Head Island for 13 years. All levels are welcome. Classes are $20, and participants must bring their own yoga mat. Pam requires that all participants show proof of vaccination against Covid-19. For all new participants, it's strongly suggested to email Pam beforehand (and let her know of any physical limitations) HERE.

BHI Transportation

Announces Deadline of March 31, 2024,

for 2-part ("Old") Paper Ferry Tickets

According to BHI Transportation's announcement:

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.

BHA's Board of Directors invites property owners and others to join its monthly public meetings in person or remotely via Zoom. Agendas, approved minutes of previous meetings and a link to the current monthly Zoom meeting can be found on the meeting information web page. Click on the link below to learn more.

[NOTE: The day/time of Board meetings has changed.] The next BHA Board meeting public session is scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2023, at 10:00am. Stay tuned for location details.

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