SUPERVISORS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 8-9-24
Soggy day—this summer’s weather pattern seems to bring large amounts of water once every few weeks, and many nearby towns and communities have been wrecked by it.
Please keep fingers crossed that this storm brings less damage to our all our neighbors and to our town.
CHANGES AT THE VISITORS’ BUREAU
As many know, today is Michelle’s last day as director of the Wilmington Visitor’s Bureau. Wilmington has been very lucky to have Michelle as its Ambassador to visitors and guests: dedicated, hardworking and creative, nice to guests and visitors, tireless in promoting the town. I join others to express gratitude and thanks to Michelle.
I understand the VB board has been interviewing candidates for the position of director and wish them the best. Tough shoes to fill.
BOUNCE HOUSES
For years Wilmington, like many other towns, rented bounce houses for town get-togethers and festivals without giving it much thought and expecting the town’s general liability insurance would be good enough.
But a couple of weeks ago the inspector for the town’s insurance company told me that bounce houses were not covered under the regular policy, and Wilmington needs a “special event coverage” policy, which they wouldn’t give us. A neighboring town learned this as well–it couldn’t get a special event policy and cancelled its bounce house for its community day. I tried to get that coverage, but the only one that came back wouldn’t pay medical bills. Honestly, I think bounce houses are doomed because Wilmington, or any other town, is not likely to get bounce house coverage without paying a massive premium. Insurance companies see them as high risk and treat bounce houses like municipal (or motel) swimming pools or small public ski hills. In any case, Wilmington is too small to self-insure and cannot afford to get sued.
Some have asked if having adults sign waivers for the kids would work. Unfortunately, no, not really. Insurance policies are there to pay damages and costs of accidents and injuries, and to pay for lawyers to defend against any lawsuits started for that claim.
Whether a waiver works is for a judge to say (and for injuries to kids that is highly unlikely). But whether the judge agrees or not, the town still needs to pay the attorneys to defend it. Wilmington learned over the past year how expensive lawyers are when the town is fighting a lawsuit. And as an old king once said, after beating the Romans in battle, “another victory like that, and we’re done for.”
INTERNET/TELEPHONE ACCESS TO PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS
Planning Board meetings will be accessible remotely. To join the virtual meeting please go to https://meet.goto.com/townofwilmington OR join by phone by dialing 1-401-650-3123 Access code: 377-399-733
Thanks everyone.
Favor