By Mark Squibb / June 23, 2023
Bay Bulls council has deemed Town Manager Jennifer Aspell not in conflict on matters related to O’Brien’s Trucking Ltd., though the decision was not unanimous.
Council ratified a vote that had been held at a privileged session on May 15 that stated that “Town Manager Jennifer Aspell is not in conflict of interest on any matters pertaining to public works, capital works, or procurement involving O’Briens Trucking Ltd., on a go forward basis so long as a family member does not hold a management position with the company.”
That motion passed 4-1, with Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien voting against it. The motion to rescind, held last week, also passed, though narrowly. Councillors Shannon O’Driscoll and Corey Ronayne both voted in favour, but O’Brien once again voted against the motion.
Mayor Keith O’Driscoll and councillor Jason Sullivan were not present at the meeting, and thus did not vote to rescind the motion.
The Irish Loop Post followed up with the Town, and Aspell explained the new Municipal Conduct Act requires all municipal officials to disclose any potential conflict of interest for council to decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Aspell has a family member who is an employee of O’Brien’s, which is why the matter came to a vote.
