GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen on Thursday approved a slate of flags to be raised this year at town hall, and more could be added as requests come in from the public.
The town’s flag policy was approved last September and went into effect Jan. 1.
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Greenwich pursued a flag policy after First Selectman Fred Camillo said he began to get requests for flag raisings that had to be denied. He felt a policy would enhance procedures and protect Greenwich from litigation while still allowing beloved traditions and celebrations to continue.
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According to the policy, the American, Connecticut and Greenwich flags can fly over town-owned buildings.
Each January, the selectmen will review the calendar and propose a slate of “legacy flags” to be displayed throughout the year “which will be consistent with past practices and custom of commemorating certain holidays, nations, civic organizations or groups.”
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Residents can also submit a request to the Office of the First Selectman for a particular flag display with supporting rationale at a minimum of 30 days in advance of the proposed date of the requested flag display.
The flags of foreign national governments that maintain formal diplomatic relations with the U.S. may be displayed in conjunction with official town events or ceremonies by resolution of the Board of Selectmen.
The policy also outlines what the town can do to honor the death of a town employee, first responder or figurehead.
Thursday represented a second reading of the proposed slate of flags. The vote to approve was unanimous.
“It’s smart to have these voted on by the board to remain as government speech. That’s the most important for these flag raisings,” said Assistant Town Attorney Laura McGeachy on Thursday.
McGeachy helped research and put together the policy.
The approved flags for 2024 are:
March
May
June
July
October
December
David Wold, a member of the Byram Veterans Association, proposed a list of flags he’d like to see raised at town hall.
The list included the POW flag and flags for Vietnam Veterans Day; Memorial Day; Flag Day; Coast Guard Day; Constitution Day; Air Force Day; U.S. Navy Birthday; United Nations Day; Navy Day; Marine Corps. Birthday; Veterans Day; National Guard Day; and Space Force Birthday.
Camillo said he’d be in support of the POW flag, which would fly below the American flag each day, and he voiced support for flags that pertain to military branches. But he wanted time to get more details from Wold and more feedback on the requests.
Camillo warned that approving too many flags could be a problem.
“We have to be careful about overdoing it,” Camillo said. “You could have so many that it becomes a blur.”
Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said she doesn’t just want to see a flag raised, but she wants to see some substance behind the gesture that has meaning. The town often has proclamations and ceremonies to go along with the flag raisings.
Selectwoman Lauren Rabin offered to work with Wold to get more details on his request and narrow down his list.
Another flag request from the public is on tap for the next scheduled meeting in February, according to Executive Assistant to the First Selectman Ken Borsuk.
“We may be getting one a month, and that’s OK,” Camillo added. “That’s the whole point of this, is to have a discussion. We’re not going to approve every one of them, but some of them we will, and some will be good ideas.”
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