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
