Editor

EAST BEND — Not many people in this town of about 700 residents believe it could someday be a target for terrorists.

But at least one town official, Commissioner Lawrence Todd, said that he believes it's still a good idea to err on the side of caution.

"Since our finances are limited and we do the best we can, I think we would be negligent if we didn't continue the coverage," Todd said Monday night. "And since we have no guarantees, I'd rather be on the safe side."

Todd was referring to a portion of the town's insurance policy, which covers East Bend against any acts of terrorism. The cost is $238 a year. Although a highly unlikely target, many municipalities across the nation opted for the extra insurance after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

"The policy that we have now insures the town against any kind of terrorism for any type of damages," said Town Attorney Bob Price.

The Worcester Telegram reports that a number of municipalities and other government agencies has been spiking in recent years with New England leading all other U.S. regions with roughly 85 percent of public entities insured for terrorism losses.

Town commissioners voted 3-1, with Lawrence dissenting, to delete the terrorism portion of the town's insurance policy.

"I don't think that Osama bin Laden is looking for East Bend," joked Commissioner Adrian Johnson.

Price agreed.

"We're probably not on the Taliban's hit list," Price joked.