[Community_garden] Town Lease/Liability Insurance

[Denise Fisher]

Hello,

We are a new community garden that has been in existence for one 
year.  The town leases 2.5 acres from a private property owner for 
the purpose of the community garden with the stipulation that the 
management of the garden is entrusted to a non-profit 
organization.  The Town leased the property so that the community 
garden would be covered under the town's liability insurance.  The 
lease is year to year.  We were expecting a simple renewal of the 
lease this year, but today we found out that the Town's insurance 
company is recommending that the non-profit organization provide its 
own liability insurance which is $750 - $1000/year listing the town 
as an additional insured.  We're not sure why this change from last 
year.  We can't afford the insurance unless a benefactor steps 
up.  If a benefactor steps up and our non-profit organization does 
buy the liability insurance, then it seems to me there would be no 
need to involve the town or to list them as an additional 
insured.  We could lease the land directly from the landowner.  I 
would like to know if there are other community gardens out there 
that are also covered by the liability insurance of the municipality 
and if they've had any problems.  What are the issues?  How does this 
work in other towns?

Orientation is next week, and even though we have been in 
communication with the town administrator, she never gave any 
indication that there would be any obstacles to the renewal of the 
lease, so we are caught off guard.  We are in a bit of a panic about 
what to do.  Any thoughts/advice/help would be greatly appreciated!

Denise Fisher