LHC: Insurance Must Cover State Employees

The Lake Hopatcong Commission voted in favor of renewing its pollution insurance with Chartis Specialty Insurance Company, provided the company will cover nonemployees operating its equipment.

The commission’s insurance runs out at the end of this month. It voted 6-0 in favor of allowing chair Russell Felter to enter into an agreement with Chartis, as long as Chartis will cover the weed harvesting employees, who are now employees of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Hopatcong commissioner Dan McCarthy was concerned about coverage under all insurance policies.

“God forbid something happens and we’re not covered,” he said.

In the event that Chartis will not cover the weed harvester operators, Felter said the commission would try and enter into an “interlocal agreement” with the state.

“I don’t really think it will be a problem,” he said. “The insurance policy covers the equipment.”

The commission also accepted a bit from Allied World Assurance Company.