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Somerset council orders outreach after private ‘Somerset’ camps raise liability and supervision concerns
Summary
Councilors directed the town attorney to draft language for organizers of private boys' and girls' camps that have advertised use of town facilities, citing misleading use of the 'Somerset' name, unclear supervision of young campers and insurance concerns; staff will contact camp organizers and require authorization and insurance if they wish to continue.
Councilors told staff to contact organizers of private summer camps that have been using town facilities and advertised under names that could imply official town sponsorship.
Councilors raised multiple concerns: advertising that refers to 'Somerset' may mislead parents into thinking the camps are town-run; children as young as 6 are attending and using town facilities and restrooms; supervision and headcount procedures were unclear; and the council worried about liability exposure if an incident occurs. A councilor asked whether state or county licensure applies; the town attorney advised council members that an application, clear insurance and a formal authorization process were appropriate safeguards.
The action: The council directed the town attorney to draft outreach language for staff to send to camp organizers, require appropriate insurance and require that organizers apply for permission to use town facilities if they want to continue. Staff (EJ) and the town attorney will follow up with the organizers and provide the council written guidance on required forms and insurance levels.
Context: The council noted an earlier conversation in which members had asked organizers to stop advertising as a 'Somerset' camp until authorization was clear; no new authorization was granted at this meeting.
