Madawaska township office. Photo credit: Supplied
The Township of Madawaska Valley says an unwarranted, but well intentioned, decision was made after a volunteer committee member asked the Ghost Buskers to vacate the premises.
According to manager of recreation and community services Hannah Gutoskie, the committee member asked the band to leave Zurakowski Park but did so without having proper information on policies.
“While the committee member’s intentions were good, the busking activity didn’t fall under the Township’s Special Events Policy, and the request for the band to leave was unwarranted,” she says.
The Township’s Special Events Policy is intended to keep staff informed about what events are being held on Township property and is put in place when the event would disrupt the regular use of public spaces with at least 20 people.
Gutoskie says, going forward committee members will have proper information and clarity on when and how to enforce the policy and when special events occur, and she’s confident this situation won’t be repeated.
“Township staff have since spoken with the committee members to clarify the policy and enforcement of policies and bylaws, if necessary, is the responsibility of the municipality,” she says. “We’re confident that a similar incident will not occur again.”
