By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
The months-long search for a new chief administrative officer for the Town of Witless Bay is over, council announced at its July 22 public meeting.
Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz said a letter of employment has been signed and the new administrator is set to start the first week of August. Nawaz and council would not reveal the name of the new CAO or details on the person’s professional background saying they will leave that to the new recruit once the person is in the position.
Witless Bay has been without a CAO or Town Manager since the departure of Jennifer Aspell, who held the position for three years before leaving May 12 to take the position of chief executive officer at the Newfoundland Construction Safety Association.
Councillors said they are excited to get the position filled so that they can work on some dormant projects, including the municipal plan process, and a proposal for project management services to increase tourism. Councillors were interested in moving forward with that latter proposal, which was on the July 22 agenda as an action item, but deferred it until the new CAO is in place and up to speed.
The Town used contractor Higher Talent to work with council's hiring committee to find the new administrator
