New Milford council adopts three ordinances, including flag-display policy and $20,000 channel stabilization appropriation

The Borough of New Milford mayor and council unanimously adopted three ordinances on Aug. 25 that revise flag-display rules, clarify private‑display regulations and allocate $20,000 for French Brook channel stabilization.

The first ordinance, 2025 Col 23, amends chapter 14 to allow commemorative flags on borough‑owned flagpoles as a form of government expression and adds section 14‑1 listing permitted flags. Mayor Pacino opened and closed the public hearing with no public comment; the council moved and adopted the measure on its final reading.

Council then adopted Ordinance 2025 Col 24, an amendment to chapter 30 that distinguishes private displays of pennants, banners and flags from commemorative displays on borough property. The mayor again opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers and the council voted to approve the ordinance on final reading.

On the capital side, the council adopted Ordinance 2025 Col 25, appropriating $20,000 from the borough capital improvement fund to supplement prior funding (Ordinance 2024 Col 22) for channel stabilization improvements to French Brook near Corpson Road. The mayor noted the appropriation is intended to supplement previously authorized funding; the public offered no comments and the measure passed by roll call.

All three measures were passed by roll call vote with the members present recording affirmative votes during each adoption.

What happens next: The amended ordinances take effect according to the borough’s ordinance-adoption schedule. The capital appropriation is intended to supplement design and construction work on the French Brook channel; project bidding and procurement steps are handled through the borough’s engineering and public‑works processes.