Break Out the Bubbly: Alcohol OK on Town Property

Community organizations that hold events on town property have cause to celebrate.

Following a previous discussion on a potential alcohol ban at all events hosted by individuals or groups and held on town property, the town board elected to change its insurance coverage to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold and served at such events.

By paying an additional flat fee of $300 per year to their insurance carrier, the Town of Bedford will be protected when alcohol is served even if a charge is made.

The change will require groups to submit additional information in their facilities use application, including proof that they've obtained the proper licenses and permits to serve and sell alcohol.

"I think it's valuable coverage to have," said Supervisor Lee Roberts at the June 15 town board meeting.

The recommendation came from the town's insurance broker, Thomas Sternberg, chairman of SKCG Group, Inc. following the June 1 board meeting, at which Sternberg said in no uncertain terms he thought the safest course of action would be to adopt an alcohol ban.

Community groups have been watching the policy development since late April when the issue was first raised by the town board. For some groups, critical funds raised through such events were in danger of evaporating along with the alcohol.

Under the new terms, the insurance carrier will provide full coverage for the town through a pre-approval process.

"The carrier felt comfortable that they would not lose control of these events with advance notification; they can still say no if the event involves a lot of alcohol and the event requires a high degree of risk," said Sternberg in an email to the town board.

Sternberg said that the major advantages to the town are:

• The coverage is under the town's liability policies and would not rely on coverage provided by outsiders
• The cost of the extension at $300 is very low
• The town provides is able to provide a valuable service to community groups 

Sternberg cautioned that groups should still be required to provide a certificate of insurance naming the town as additional insured in order to provide an extra layer of protection, which lowers the chances seeing future premium increases in the event of a loss.

To that end, Town Clerk Lisbeth Fumagalli will be working with the insurance carrier to revise the application for the use of town facilities to include protocols that will help the town maintain its protection. The lead time to reserving space may also be increased in order to allow time for substantiating documents.