Committee clarifies pavilion and community center liability, rental rules

The Tinmouth Equity and Inclusion Committee discussed who will carry liability for the new pavilion and community center at its Sept. 25 meeting.

The chair said the school will have "exclusive access to the pavilion during school hours" and that the principal will decide requests during those hours. She also said that "the town would be responsible for insurance" for town-sponsored activities, while private renters will typically need homeowners insurance or an insurer-issued certificate of insurance.

Committee members asked whether casual afternoon use (for example, an individual practicing ball skills) would require the same insurance. One member asked, "So that would be on the person who's renting — its homeowners insurance?" A chair-side response clarified that many informal uses could be treated as open-gym or rec-committee-sponsored activities rather than private rentals, but that the town will require an insurer certificate for formal rentals.

The exchange left several procedural points to be finalized with insurers: what counts as a town-sponsored event vs. a private rental; whether the town will be named as "additional insured" on renter policies; and how the rec committee will classify open-play activities. Committee members said staff will follow up with insurers and the rec committee to put the policy decisions in writing.

Next steps: staff will seek formal guidance from the town insurer and the rec committee on categorizing events and on standardized rental paperwork.