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Wolcott hearing draws concern over proposed ban on non-government flags on town property
Summary
At a July 21 public hearing, residents urged the Wolcott Town Council not to restrict town flagpoles to only U.S., state, POW/MIA and town flags, arguing the ban would appear exclusionary and suggested a fair process for community displays instead.
The Wolcott Town Council held a public hearing on July 21 about a proposed ordinance that would limit flags flown on town property to the United States flag, the State of Connecticut flag, a POW/MIA flag and the Town of Wolcott flag, with limited exceptions for official military unit flags and school flags approved by the Board of Education.
Multiple residents spoke against the proposed restriction, saying it would close a municipal forum that previously allowed symbolic displays tied to holidays and local recognition. Sheri Samson, who spoke in person, urged the council to avoid a blanket prohibition and to develop a fair process for recognizing community groups: "My concern is not simply about Pride. It is about the message we send regarding who belongs here and how we welcome people into our community," she said.
Diane Mauceri, another resident commenter, said the proposed ordinance would send a message that Wolcott is "not inclusive or open to diversity" and asked the council to consider alternatives rather than an outright ban. The minutes record that two letters supporting the Flag Ordinance (Tina and John Gogol) were received and entered into the record.
The proposed ordinance text, read into the record, states that town-owned flagpoles are "government speech" and not public forums and lists narrow exceptions (official military flags and school flags with Board of Education approval). Residents urged the council to consider tailored policies that preserve municipal control of official poles while creating an equitable process for community recognition on town property.
The council closed the flag public hearing by unanimous motion; no ordinance vote was taken that night. The minutes indicate the council will include submitted letters and handouts in the meeting record.
