NISKAYUNA — Insurance for this summer’s series of farmers markets in Niskayuna will require more discussion.
During the March 12 meeting of the town’s Community Programs Committee, town officials talked about the possibility of Niskayuna Community Action Program picking up the insurance cost for three monthly markets.
The series — a market held on the second Saturday of July, August and September — is scheduled to begin July 13 in the side lot of the Niskayuna Co-op on Nott Street.
Jeanne Sosnow, board president of volunteer-staffed N-CAP, was unable to attend the meeting. She has not talked to town officials about the community group picking up the insurance costs.
“Normally, the vendors involved would have their own insurance,” Sosnow said March 15. “I don’t understand what they’re asking N-CAP to pick up.”
Sosnow also said vendors who participate in the town’s annual Niska Day, organized by N-CAP, the Niskayuna Central School District and the town, all carry their own insurance policies for the public gathering.
“N-CAP actually becomes co-insured with their policies,” Sosnow said. “These are things we have to make sure are turned in ahead of time, so there are a lot of little details in pulling this all together we all need to talk about.”
When officials talked about the possibility of a farmers market in the town last year, Sosnow added, she understood the market would be self-supporting.
“N-CAP has insurance we carry and it incorporates all the events we do,” Sosnow said. “Any time a new event comes up, we go back to our insurance carrier and ask them what the impact would be.”
In addition to Niska Day, N-CAP also sponsors drug prevention programs that are supported by federal grant funds.
“Anything we put on for the benefit of the community, we have to raise money for,” Sosnow said. “The idea of a farmers market is terrific, it brings the community together and we’d like to see that happen. So we’re looking forward to talking with the committee and see how we can make that happen.”
Town officials also say a market manager could come from N-CAP, although Sosnow said she is not sure anyone on the group’s current roster has that kind of experience.
N-CAP, Sosnow added, has about 60 active volunteers.
Contact Gazette reporter Jeff Wilkin at 518-395-3124 or at [email protected].
Categories: Saratoga County
