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Heritage Commission seeks approval to install flagpole at Hackett site; residents debate spending
Summary
The Brookfield Heritage Commission seeks select board input to install a flagpole and kiosks at the Hackett historic site, estimating roughly $3,500 in costs to be funded from the Heritage Commission trust; residents raised concerns about optics and competing heritage needs, while others offered to donate.
The Heritage Commission presented plans June 15 to install a flagpole and two informational kiosks at the James Hackett historic site and said the project would be funded from the Heritage Commission’s trust account.
Heritage representative told the board the project — approved by the Heritage Commission at a May meeting — would cost about $3,500 including the flagpole, lighting and shipping. The presenter said one local donor, William Gaver, contributed $1,000 that was earmarked for the Hackett project and that the Commission expects to draw on its trust/checking account for the remainder. He asked the select board for any input so the Commission could proceed when it finalizes a vendor selection at its next meeting.
Several attendees urged caution about the optics of spending trust funds on a flagpole when other repairs and improvements to the heritage building remain outstanding. One resident told the board the expenditure could be seen as disrespectful to the site, saying, “This is a slap to Hackett’s face.” Other residents and board members countered that the Heritage Commission manages the trust fund under RSA and can authorize the expenditure; one participant offered to match the thousand-dollar donation to reduce the draw on the trust.
The Heritage representative also announced the Hackett site had been selected by the New Hampshire Historical Society to participate in a statewide "603 History Hunt" running July 1–31. The program asks visitors to photograph three clues at each site (the metal gate, a barn sign and James Hackett’s grave), and the society will provide a local contact person listed for visitor assistance.
What happens next The Heritage Commission plans to finalize vendor selection at its next meeting and proceed using the Commission’s designated funds if it votes to purchase; the select board confirmed that the Commission manages its trust account and that no select board vote is required to spend those designated funds, though the board offered advisory input on optics and fundraising alternatives.
