Fearing 1st Amendment Lawsuit, N.H. Town Scraps Insurance Requirement

July 30, 2007

Faced with a possible First Amendment lawsuit, selectmen in Jaffrey, New Hampshire have rescinded their new guidelines requiring people or groups holding events on town property to buy $1 million insurance coverage.

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The New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union challenged the rule, on behalf of resident Jean Coutu, who applied to hold an annual Live Free or Die political celebration.

Acting Town Manager Randall Heglin said the town is revising the policy because of the Civil Liberties Union challenge.

He said the policy was implemented after town department heads voiced concerns about the rising costs of maintaining public property.

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Information from: The Keene Sentinel,
http://www.keenesentinel.com