Pamplico seeks legal advice on insurance for recreation programs

By Charles Tomlinson
Morning News Reporter
Published: May 19, 2008

PAMPLICO — Pamplico Town Council will seek the advice of its lawyer regarding whether the town should carry the liability for holding its summer recreation programs at a church.

An insurance agent has presented an application in the town’s name for accident and liability insurance regarding the program, which would be held at Maxwell Church.

Councilwoman Cynthia Parks, who is responsible for the town’s parks and recreation, said Monday that the program begins in two weeks and that it has been going since 1997.

After several council members expressed concern over the insurance, Parks said she couldn’t understand what the problem was.

“It seems as though y’all have been in some discussion of this without me,” she said.

Councilman Robert Bostick told her council hadn’t discussed the matter without her, although he had spoken about it with Mayor Gene Gainey after receiving the council meeting packet earlier that day.

“Really, this is going to keep opening a can of worms,” said Bostick, who agreed that the program is important, although the town could be taking on too much responsibility.

Councilman Van Coleman said he wasn’t sure the town would be able to afford a lawsuit if someone was injured or the building was damaged.

“Two thousand dollars ain’t going to do it,” he said. “They’ll sue for $20 million.”

Coleman suggested forming a limited liability corporation that would run the program and apply for insurance.

The policy is $400, and Parks said she has donations to cover that amount.

The summer program includes sports, reading classes and drama, as well as breakfast and lunch from the Boys & Girls Club, Parks said.

Council on Monday also voted to approve an application for five street lights along the center of Main Street as part of Pamplico’s revitalization project. The lighting will cost $410 a month, about double the downtown lighting cost, Gainey said.

Council also approved the low bid of $1,275, by Mainline Supply Co. of North Myrtle Beach, to replace a fire hydrant destroyed by a vehicle being pursued by a Pamplico police officer.

Council also approved the lowest bid of $8,992, by Palmetto Paving Corp. of Conway, to repave the town hall parking lot.

The votes were unanimous.

The town also has approval to use nearly $115,000 in leftover U.S. Department of Agriculture grant money to repair sewer lines and buy a new machine that unclogs sewer backups.