Historical Society shares concerns over common use
TEMPLETON — A member of the Narragansett Historical Society recently
shared concerns over the new policies regarding use of the town common,
saying that the new policy will detract from common use and money
raised.
Over the past half-year or so, the Board of Selectmen has been working on a policy for use of the town common and parking around it, which calls for event organizers to get an insurance rider to decrease liability for the town. The idea is that this provides an extra layer of protection to the town, while not charging too much extra on vendors or organizers. This is part of a larger effort to decrease liability across town. While the town has been asking for the insurance riders for the past few months, they decided to try and put out more word so nonprofit organizations or other groups planning events can plan accordingly.
“This is the first year we did require that of the Friends of the Templeton Elders (for the Mac N Chese Festival),” Town Administrator Carter Terenzini said. “We required it of the Craft Fair. It has been required of the wedding on the common granted two weeks ago.”
Historical Society member Dennis Rich took to a selectmen meeting to share the society’s concerns.
“Discussing this with other members, we have some major concerns and frustration over the idea that we will have to purchase additional insurance to cover parking on the common,” Rich said. “Our event is going to occur behind the building on our own property, we just need to use (the common) for parking our attendees.”
President of the Historical Society Brian Tanguay points out that crowds that attend these events are slimming, and that an extra charge of $100-$400 for the insurance rider is cutting into dwindling profits from events like the Craft Fair. The Craft Fair had an additional cost of about $125 this year, while the Mac N Cheese festival saw cost increases of about $400 this year.
“A can of worms has been opened by the selectmen to create a plan on the common use, virtually creating a not-so-common place for the community to gather,” Tanguay said. “To create a plan that will cost each community organization when using the common will only cut into the amount raised, which is already in danger as participation is in competition with other events occurring in other towns and other groups.”
Tanguay said the Historical Society has insurance of its own, so costs of insurance the selectmen create should not concern the organization.
“How else will the community continue to hold family-gathering events if the town continues to create roadblocks in our efforts to hold events,” Tanguay said. “I suppose I’ll address the selectmen once again to find out what new plans they are concocting for the use of the common, when in fact they should be focusing on the current bigger issues on their plates.”
Still, the policy is there, and while the town continues to formalize and put the policy into writing, they intend to spread more word so that groups are aware of upcoming costs additions to events on the common.
“We are trying to watch out for the safety for the town of Templeton correctly and legally,” Selectman Julie Richards said. “I know at state level I have been involved in big fair events and we’ve had to pay out big chunks. ... We aren’t trying to target these groups but just protect the town.”
Over the past half-year or so, the Board of Selectmen has been working on a policy for use of the town common and parking around it, which calls for event organizers to get an insurance rider to decrease liability for the town. The idea is that this provides an extra layer of protection to the town, while not charging too much extra on vendors or organizers. This is part of a larger effort to decrease liability across town. While the town has been asking for the insurance riders for the past few months, they decided to try and put out more word so nonprofit organizations or other groups planning events can plan accordingly.
“This is the first year we did require that of the Friends of the Templeton Elders (for the Mac N Chese Festival),” Town Administrator Carter Terenzini said. “We required it of the Craft Fair. It has been required of the wedding on the common granted two weeks ago.”
Historical Society member Dennis Rich took to a selectmen meeting to share the society’s concerns.
“Discussing this with other members, we have some major concerns and frustration over the idea that we will have to purchase additional insurance to cover parking on the common,” Rich said. “Our event is going to occur behind the building on our own property, we just need to use (the common) for parking our attendees.”
President of the Historical Society Brian Tanguay points out that crowds that attend these events are slimming, and that an extra charge of $100-$400 for the insurance rider is cutting into dwindling profits from events like the Craft Fair. The Craft Fair had an additional cost of about $125 this year, while the Mac N Cheese festival saw cost increases of about $400 this year.
“A can of worms has been opened by the selectmen to create a plan on the common use, virtually creating a not-so-common place for the community to gather,” Tanguay said. “To create a plan that will cost each community organization when using the common will only cut into the amount raised, which is already in danger as participation is in competition with other events occurring in other towns and other groups.”
Tanguay said the Historical Society has insurance of its own, so costs of insurance the selectmen create should not concern the organization.
“How else will the community continue to hold family-gathering events if the town continues to create roadblocks in our efforts to hold events,” Tanguay said. “I suppose I’ll address the selectmen once again to find out what new plans they are concocting for the use of the common, when in fact they should be focusing on the current bigger issues on their plates.”
Still, the policy is there, and while the town continues to formalize and put the policy into writing, they intend to spread more word so that groups are aware of upcoming costs additions to events on the common.
“We are trying to watch out for the safety for the town of Templeton correctly and legally,” Selectman Julie Richards said. “I know at state level I have been involved in big fair events and we’ve had to pay out big chunks. ... We aren’t trying to target these groups but just protect the town.”
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| https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0033-0124.1967.00313.x |
So why should the town take on liability for all of its citizens for the benefit of these small groups?
ReplyDeleteIn what world are these people living in that an event is not required to cover its own costs. Why should my liability be increased based on an event by the Historical Society that I personally will never attend.
Why should the "Friends of Templeton Elders" be able to use create an expense for the town in the process of raising money as a private entity?
The towns expenses and liabilities should be covered by these groups or these groups should find another spot, period. Good luck finding another spot that wont charge you, but still cover the individuals at the event.
As I understand it, the Town of Templeton has blanket insurance that covers the Town common. No group should need to buy insurance so they can use this space.
ReplyDeleteBev, I'm not 100% on this, but I beleive that covers all "town events" but not private parties using the town common for fundraising
Delete