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Westerly council narrows proposed flag-and-symbols ordinance, orders public hearing April 6
Summary
After concerns about scope and public reaction, councilors removed broader code changes from a proposed flag ordinance and voted to advertise an amended ordinance for public hearing April 6, asking veterans and staff to refine remaining language.
The Westerly Town Council on March 16 voted to order advertised a revised flag‑and‑symbols ordinance for public hearing on April 6, 2026, after extended debate about whether the draft had gone beyond a simple flag policy.
Council members and residents said the redlined draft included provisions that surprised the public and expanded the ordinance’s scope to matters they thought should be handled separately. Council Vandova said she was “a little surprised to see the added verbiage” and urged the text to be pared back to a straightforward flag policy. Others urged continued work with veterans and volunteers who drafted the original language.
Councilors agreed to remove the initial section of the draft, keep a concise clause authorizing the council to establish an official town flag and move other, broader changes into a separate ordinance or later drafts. Town Solicitor Connley said the solicitor’s office would clean up remaining section references and that a redlined package and original draft would be posted so the public could review changes before the hearing.
The council’s action preserves the veterans committee’s input while creating time for public review and a workshop if desired. The hearing is scheduled for April 6, when the council will take public comment and consider final adoption.
