Witless Bay hires former Bay Bulls manager Jennifer Aspell
By Mark Squibb / July 14, 2023
In another Friday night meeting, Witless Bay council last week voted to hire Jennifer Aspell as the Town’s new Chief Administrative Officer.
“Jennifer is a capable and committed individual who has a strong track record in municipal and business administration,” said Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard. “Under her tenure the Town of Bay Bulls made great strides including the beautiful walking trail at Long Pond, as well as instituting processes and work plans that proved very beneficial to the efficient operation of the Town of Bay Bulls. Jennifer has built great working relationships with government departments and funding agencies that will prove greatly beneficial to the Town of Witless Bay.”
Aspell served as Bay Bulls Town Manager for the last five or so years, and was an integral part of that town’s monthly council meeting, keeping the meetings in order while also offering clarifications and further explanations to the media afterwards.
“Jennifer and her family have a long history of contributions and volunteering for the town of Witless Bay,” said Yard. “I know she has a passion for the town and is eager to put her energy and experience into moving the Town of Witless Bay forward in a positive manner.”
Aspell, who lives in Witless Bay with her family, once challenged a decision of the previous council when they approved a resident’s application to construct a garage on his property in June, 2020. Aspell had argued it would negatively impact the view of the ocean from her home. The Eastern Regional Appeal Board, during a hearing held on March 9, 2021, recommended the Town permit the construction of the garage as the dimensions fit the Town’s requirements and the impact on Aspell’s ocean views was thought to be minimal.
She is being called on to replace former Town CAO Sean Kavanagh.
Council voted to fire Kavanagh in June of 2022, but had to motion to fire him multiple times over the coming months due to procedural errors.
Aspell will be the sixth top bureaucrat at the Town Hall in Witless Bay in the last four years. Former Town Clerk Geraldine Caul served in the position twice. She left the Town’s employment earlier this year.
