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Select Board tables Groveland flag‑display policy to clarify process and poles covered
Summary
After detailed review the board voted to table a draft town flag policy so staff can specify which town flagpoles the policy covers, the request procedure for commemorative flags and half‑staff (0.5 staff) protocols; members also asked that adding non‑listed flags require a unanimous board decision.
The Select Board reviewed a draft Town of Groveland flag policy on July 20 that would spell out which flags may be displayed on town‑owned poles and how exceptions are authorized. The draft, prepared by the town administrator, lists standard flags (United States, Commonwealth, Town, POW/MIA, municipal department flags and specified commemorative flags) and allows the board to authorize other flags for official town events.
Board members raised several procedural gaps they wanted clarified before adoption: a clear process for requesting commemorative flags, whether adding a non‑listed flag requires a unanimous select‑board vote, an appendix identifying which flagpoles are town‑owned (so residents know which poles the policy governs), and explicit reference to following any federal/state half‑staff orders. One member proposed that any additional flags beyond those listed in the policy require a unanimous board vote; another suggested adding the state/federal authority language so the town would follow official half‑staff directives.
After discussion, a motion to table the policy for revision passed unanimously; staff were asked to update the draft with a list of covered flagpole locations, a request/authorization step for commemorative flags, and language referencing applicable federal and state flag‑display authorities before returning the policy to the board.
