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Glens Falls Board approves series of event permits, road closures and open-container waivers
Summary
The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety on May 14 approved a package of event permits, road closures and limited open-container waivers for summer events and block parties, with conditions on insurance, signage and volunteer staffing at perimeter barriers.
The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety voted unanimously at its May 14 meeting to approve a package of event permits, temporary street closures and limited open-container waivers for a series of community events this spring and summer.
The approvals covered the South Street Ed Market and Events Center grand opening and block party on May 16; a Sheridan Street Get Out the Vote block party on June 21; the City Band summer concert series beginning June 30; a two-day Murray Street hill “slider” event in May; the Take a Bite collaborative food events and Oktoberfest (open-container waivers); Park Theater Foundation summer concerts at Crandall Park starting June 6; an East End block party at Lawrence Street Tavern on June 21; the Take a Bite road closure on Glen Street (repeated approval); and the third annual Glens Falls Pride Fest in late May/early June.
Board members and staff discussed operational details for several approvals before voting. For the South Street ribbon-cutting and block party, the board approved a limited road closure and an open-container waiver for a defined section of South Street and required that police, fire and EMS be on hand during the hours alcohol is being served. Mayor (presiding) noted the city event would be “covered under the city's insurance liability policy,” and that work orders had been sent to DPW, fire and police.
Several approvals included documentary or logistical conditions. The Park Theater Foundation summer concerts were approved contingent on an updated certificate of insurance (COI). For the Murray Street hill event (the “slider” race), a board member successfully moved to condition approval on the event organizer naming the city as an additional insured on the organizer’s insurance; the motion passed. For multiple events that sought waivers of the open-container ordinance (the Take a Bite series and Oktoberfest), board members pressed event organizers to provide signage and volunteers at perimeter barriers to prevent alcohol from leaving the contained areas and to make clear that half of certain streets must remain open for emergency vehicles. Chip (staff) and event liaisons were asked to seek written confirmation from event insurance agents and to collect COIs from permitted food vendors in advance of events.
Board discussion repeatedly emphasized public-safety staffing and logistics rather than rejecting events. The board instructed staff to request that collaborative organizers place volunteers at barrier points, install signage stating “no alcohol past this point,” and keep a clear lane for emergency responders. The board also asked staff to collect vendor permits from food-truck operators and to file COIs in the event packet ahead of each event.
Votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried unanimously.
Ending: The board closed the segment of routine business after passing all event-related resolutions. Staff will follow up with event holders to secure required COIs, additional-insured endorsements where requested, and signage/volunteer plans for perimeter barriers.
