Beach Haven West Civic Association

About the Beach Haven West Civic Association

Beach Haven West is a beautiful community of lagoon and bayfront properties. It is the gateway to Long Beach Island, and is the largest waterfront community in New Jersey.

The Beach Haven West Civic Association is dedicated to advancing the quality of life in our waterfront community. At our meetings, held at 7 pm on the third Friday of each month in the Bay Avenue Community Center, we identify and address community issues of interest and concern of residents.

For years, the Association has proudly contributed to civic projects, such as the township's Arbor Day and Founders Day observances, and to school projects. The BHWCA is proud of its long-standing relationship with Southern Regional High School's scholarship program, providing three $1,000 awards to graduating seniors who will continue their education after SRHS.

In 2024, the Civic Association awarded its first graduation award to a graduating senior from Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES), with which BHWCA has worked on a number of environmental-research projects.

Our monthly meetings host a wide range of speakers, all invited to address topics of particular interest to Beach Haven West. Stafford's mayor and business administrator, police chief and heads of various municipal departments provide valuable information on local issues and services. Leaders of area organizations as well as government agencies also have joined us to address topics of interest – especially our waterways.

By joining our Association, you will help us to demonstrate that we are a united community of full-time and seasonal/weekend residents that share a common interest – respecting our unique and beautiful section of Stafford Township.

Join the BHWCA

Annual dues are just
$20.00 per household.

Become a Member

Beach Haven West Neighborhoods

The Coves

Colony Lakes

East Point

Village Harbor

Mission Statement

The Beach Haven West Civic Association strives to advance quality of life in its waterfront community by providing members with valuable information regarding its particular environment as well as issues affecting the BHW community and Stafford Township.

BHWCA Position Paper on Waterways

Dated 2025

Beach Haven West is the largest man-made lagoon community in New Jersey, consisting of approximately 24 miles of waterways in 102 lagoons surrounding some 4,500 homes. A 2020 Bathymetric Survey – the first in the community's six decades – showed that much of BHW's dredge sediment is clean, making it valuable material for restoring declining marshlands and bay islands under the region's "beneficial use" policies.

The Civic Association continues to vigorously support treating Stafford's waterways as part of the township's infrastructure, placing Stafford at the forefront of this advancing state and national approach to waterway maintenance.

Read the Full Position Paper

Committees

The BHW Civic Association hosts a number of committees created to help achieve the organization's goals. We invite all members to consider an area where they can best contribute.

Beautification Committee

Members identify public areas within Beach Haven West that could benefit from beautification efforts. Since these areas are public, every proposal advanced by the organization must be approved by the township. Additional details are available upon request.

Bylaws Committee

Meets upon request(s) for amendments raised by request of the Executive Committee or on the floor and approved by majority vote.

Clean Communities

Proposes an area for cleanup efforts as described in an application available from the Department of Public Works. Upon completion of an approved project, the BHWCA is awarded $500, earmarked for beautification efforts and plantings in areas approved by the township.

Community Liaison

A service provided by BHWCA for members who wish to report a concern or offer a suggestion to the appropriate township department or official.

Finance

Members assist the Treasurer, as requested throughout the year and required with an annual review.

Membership

In cooperation with the person(s) conducting digital membership-drive efforts, members of this committee facilitate additional efforts to obtain renewals and new members.

Scholarship

As of 2023, the BHWCA has awarded three $1,000 scholarships to Southern Regional High School graduating seniors and one $1,000 scholarship to a MATES graduating senior. Eligibility requires BHW residency and submission of an essay by deadline.

Sunshine

A member volunteers to be the BHWCA's representative who sends greeting cards to members or their family members upon a life event, such as an illness, surgery, or death.

Waterways

In concert with the committee chair, members may participate in various capacities, including conducting water readings (temperature, salinity) and reporting to the chair, who maintains a database.

Board of Officers

President	Thomas Gan
Vice President	Alex Makowski
Treasurer	Vacant
Secretary	Wendi Greer
Sergeant at Arms	Bruce Kreeger

Contact the Board

To email the BHWCA Board directly, please reach out at:

bhwcamembers@gmail.com

Bylaws – Amended June 2025