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Warner Select Board weighs third‑party use policy for town land after sledding event concerns
Summary
Following advice from insurance and municipal associations, the board discussed drafting a policy for third‑party use of town land after an upcoming sledding event prompted liability questions; speakers included Chair Harry Seidel, Barb Marty (citing RSA 508:14), Jody Sloane and others.
The Warner Select Board on Jan. 6 discussed whether the town should adopt a standard policy governing third‑party use of town‑owned land after a planned sledding event prompted questions about liability.
Chair Harry Seidel said Primex and the New Hampshire Municipal Association advised caution and recommended a policy; he said he drafted a short policy and passed it to organizer Jody Sloane, who planned the sledding event. Seidel said some insurers reported they do not cover sledding events and that if an event is not officially sanctioned the town could retain risk.
Barbara (Barb) Marty spoke from the floor and read RSA 508:14 into the record, arguing that open recreation land is covered for liability when use is permitted without charge and that the town would not be liable absent intentional harm. Jody Sloane said she had confirmed Parks and Recreation would sponsor the sledding event. Amelia Gardner questioned why Parks and Recreation had not been consulted earlier and said the time spent drafting a policy could have been used on other town priorities. Steve Hall, representing the Chandler Reservation Committee, said the committee manages 1,500 acres and emphasized the point of keeping public land open and accessible.
The board did not adopt a new policy at the meeting; Seidel said he will continue work on a proposed policy and the Select Board will consider further steps.
