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Barrier Beach Preservation Association (B.B.P.A.)
The Barrier Beach Preservation Association (BBPA) is a not-for-profit, non-political organization open to all residents of West Hampton Dunes, created in 1983 to preserve and protect the beaches, bays, and wetlands for the benefit of all citizens. Here you will find the latest updates on our activities, including photos. Additionally we've provided links to local resources for your convenience. Please send us any photos or other information you'd like to share.
[edit] Star Gazer Night, Saturday August 7th
The evening will provide viewers with a guide to the summer constellations, the exciting Perseid Meteor Shower, and the ‘Summer Triangle’: Venus, Mars, and Saturn.
Our new guide this year is Dr. Tim Paglione. Tim is an astrophysicist and professor at York College, CUNY and a Research Associate at the American Museum of Natural History where he helped produce the current planetarium show, Journey to the Stars. Tim studies galaxies that harbor huge clusters of massive stars. These stars live furiously, greatly affecting their surroundings with their winds and radiation, then explode and enrich the galaxy with heavy elements. Their lives are relatively brief ("only" 10 million years or less) so their impact is not only profound but immediate.
- We will meet at Atlantic Beach parking lot (840 Dune Road) ocean side at 8 PM
- There will only be limited parking so try and walk down the beach.
- Bring a flashlight as we have picked a dark night (no moon light) to see the stars better.
[edit] Labor Day Weekend Bonfire with Live Music, Sunday Sept. 5th at 8 PM
Music will be provided by the fabulous Doc O'Connor. Dennis "Doc" O'Connor has been part of the music scene in cities from New York to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Albuquerque. Though he has played with blues bands, university faculty bands, and jam bands across the country, he is best known for his solo playing and singing. Doc enjoys playing hits from the 40's on up to the 90's--covering Beatles, Billy Joel, Jackson Brown, Eagles--and many more. He can presently be heard on weekends at the Tuscan House in Southampton Village. His vocalizations are unique and his guitar playing is the perfect accompaniment to his strong--yet emotive--voice. His shows are fun and listenable, and he prides himself on being a "regular guy" who loves his audience.
Meeting place is on the beach at the SCWA pumping station (across from Dune Lane).
[edit] Preserve the Beach
- Please remind guests and renters to cross over to the beach at the cross-over points. Our dunes are our only protection. Stepping on the beach grass kills it. American Beach grass roots extend yards deep into the dune, helping it retain its structure.
- Keep it clean! Nothing ruins a beautiful vista more than trash. Balloons, soda cans, and plastic are harmful to birds, marine animals, and your enjoyment of the beach.
- BBPA volunteers have continued their program this winter to control the feral cat population here at the beach. We think we have trapped, neutered, given shots and flea baths to all of our feline residents. We have placed most in good homes. This will continue to be an on going program. If you see any cats that don’t have their ear clipped (tip of the ear is flat on one side) please contact the BBPA so we can get them to the vet.
The BBPA Board of Directors would like to thank Joe Albanese and his family for all of their fine contributions to the community and the BBPA organization.
[edit] BBPA Board of Directors Elections
The biannual election for the BBPA board will be held this October to determine the board for 2011 and 2012. All nine (9) members of the Board of Directors are up for election at the annual meeting on October 16th, 2010. Accordingly, if you wish to run for a position on the Board of Directors, you must prepare and submit a brief biography to Rich Agins, preferably by email, but you may also send it by regular mail or by fax. All biographies must be received no later than Friday, August 13, 2010.
On or about September 24, 2010, secret ballots, with copies of all biographies, will be mailed to all current members. You may vote by mail or at the annual meeting. Please note that only Members who have paid their 2010 dues before September 24, 2010, when ballots will be mailed, and Charter Members who still own property in the Village, are eligible to vote. Each house is entitled to only to one vote. In order to hold a board position, you must be a member in good standing.
Voting will be held at our annual meeting Saturday October 16th, at 11 AM at the BBPA House, followed by brunch.
[edit] Updating our By Laws
Times have radically changed and circumstances are totally different than when the BBPA was incorporated in 1983, to lead the litigation to restore the barrier beach. This predated the formation of the village and it is time to bring the By Laws up to the 21st century and to make them functional for the BBPA today. Now we are focused entirely on the environment and the betterment of line on the barrier beach for all living creatures, including us.
The Board of Directors have worked long and hard to revise the by laws of the BBPA. The proposed changes have been unanimously approved by the current board. The existing and proposed by laws are available here for you to review. You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader view these PDF files. Additionally for those who want to see the exact detail of the each changes in context there is a red-lined copy which shows all of the additions and deletions, which can be a little hard to follow. We recommend that all members at a minimum read the summary of changes.
| Summary of changes | Existing BBPA By-Laws | Proposed 2009 By-Laws | Red lined copy |
|---|
Because it is necessary to have two-thirds of the Membership approve these new By Laws, it is critical that each of you votes. When proposed last year, the vote for these changes was virtually unanimous, but since two-thirds of the Members did not vote, the amendments did not pass.
Please note that only Members who have paid their 2010 dues before September 24, 2010, when ballots will be mailed, and Charter Members who still own property in the Village, are eligible to vote. Each house is entitled to only to one vote. We look to forward receiving your ballot and seeing you all at the BBPA Annual meeting and brunch on October 16, 2010
*** The Board of Directors has unanimously recommended that you vote YES to approve the new by laws. ***
[edit] BBPA Dues
As you can see from our 2010 program of activities, the BBPA is trying to enrich our community with environmental, family-fun programs. We have also slowly renovated the BBPA House (a wonderful asset!). As we all know, times are tough and nothing has really gotten any cheaper in this bad economy. Your dues help pay for the events we sponsor. We ask both charter and regular members to donate to the BBPA by maintaining membership dues and/or additional donations.
- BBPA membership is open to all residents and property owners in West Hampton Dunes. Annual dues are due in June of every year. Dues are $100 per household.
- Donations to any specific program beyond your yearly dues are needed and welcome! This enables the BBPA to do more in the community. Charity begins at home!
- Dues and contributions are tax deductible. The BBPA is a 501 (c) (3) Not-for-Profit Organization.
- Get involved! Your ideas and your efforts are needed for all current and future projects.
Thanks!
[edit] BBPA puts you a click away from local updated information
Throughout this website we make an effort to provide links to local information you need to enhance your weekend fun. Touch any blue word and get up to the minute events and information! Take the time to 'click around the site'.
- Local movie times Recreation
- Cupsogue surfing report Surfline
- Local fishing information Fishing
- Star and moon events Astronomy
- What is it? Learn about our bay creatures Bay Creatures
- What kind of bird is that? photos and info Birds
- What grows out here naturally and where can I buy it? Barrier Beach Gardening
- Learn about our ocean, why is it salty? The Ocean
- BBPA Reports: meeting notes, treasurer's reports About the BBPA
[edit] Web Site Contributors Wanted
We're constantly striving to make this web site a valuable tool to learn about the natural beauty of the barrier beach and to share information with your neighbors. We'd appreciate any pictures, stories, historical materials, or anything related to the barrier beach that you'd like to share.
Please feel free to write to us with your ideas on how to make this site better.
Email: website@barrierbeach.org
[edit] Archive of Old News
If you are looking for an archived news item, they can be found here
