The May 14 opening of Northampton Farmers Market - held at the borough’s Municipal Park off Laubach Avenue and Smith Lane - created considerable comment by council members at the May 2 meeting of Northampton Borough Council.

Council discussed regulations and what role the market should play in having vendors with nonfood items, such as candles and crafts.

“Regarding the farmers market, I believe Pat Knopf (newly retained farmers market manager) is doing a good job. She needs your (council) support. Please help her to reduce regulations where possible,” said Victor Rodite, borough planner and former manager of the farmers market.

The high cost of insurance, about $500, is turning away smaller craft vendors, Rodite reported. The issue of liability insurance sparked an intense discussion among council members on the borough’s role regarding the issue. The question of whether liability insurance should be carried by vendors or not had mixed comments among council members.

Councilman Robert McHale asked Rodite a series of questions regarding vendors’ liability and the borough’s involvement. He questioned whether vendors could sign a hold-harmless agreement for their participation at the farmers market instead of purchasing the costly insurance.

Borough Solicitor Steve Goudsouzian mentioned that if vendors cannot afford insurance, then they “cannot afford to indemnify the borough.”

He conceded the fee is high for smaller vendors but said the borough needs to be protected. It was mentioned the insurance would protect the borough in the event a patron would fall, get hurt or become ill from the products sold at the farmers market.

“When you have a vendor doing this for a profit, they should have insurance,” Goudsouzian said.

“This is such a small [issue],” Councilman Anthony Pristash added, after discussion continued to divide council members.

The discussion concluded with no resolution over the insurance liability concerns.