By Mark Squibb \ May 12, 2023
Despite the item having fallen off the public meeting agenda for months, the Town of Witless Bay is apparently still working on a funding arrangement with the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA).
The Irish Loop Post put the question to council during a question-and-answer session following this week’s public meeting. Mayor Trevor Croft said an agreement is “still in the works.”
When asked if there was a definite timeline on when a deal might be struck, and whether that deal will be finalized before the recreation-heavy summer months hit, Croft said there was no definite timeline yet in place.
For several years, the Town has contributed $37,000 annually to the BBBAA, as per a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Town of Bay Bulls pays an equal amount and in turn the BBBAA provides recreation services for the entire region.
That MOU expired at the close of 2022, and though the item had appeared on Witless Bay’s agenda a number of times, it was delayed time and time again.
In early December, councillor Nancy Burke, who serves as council’s BBBAA liaison, noted a decision would need to be reached soon, as the Town was budgeting for 2023.
Former councillor Alex Troake, who chaired the Town’s finance committee and had recommended council should re-consider signing a new MOU at all before resigning from council last month, said earlier this year that $37,000 had been earmarked for the BBBAA in the 2023 budget should council once again move forward. If the Town chooses not to enter into an agreement, that money will be used for other recreational purposes.
The Town of Bay Bulls elected to once again enter into the MOU with the BBBAA as per usual.
