Town Council Approves Pride Month and Juneteenth Flag Resolutions
Despite debate over language and concerns about future flag requests, council votes to recognize celebrations with flag displays
BRIDGEWATER - April 22 - The Bridgewater Town Council voted Tuesday to approve resolutions recognizing Pride Month and Juneteenth, authorizing the flying of their respective flags at town buildings in June. The council also approved a resolution to fly the Purple Heart flag during May.
The resolutions passed despite concerns raised by some councilors about potential legal implications and language choices.
Councilor Fred Chase, who sponsored both the Pride Month and Juneteenth resolutions, emphasized the importance of continuing the town's tradition of recognizing these observances.
"As the councilors know, we have for four previous years approved an application from citizens to do just this based upon the flag-raising ordinance that was adopted by the town five years ago," Chase said regarding the Pride Month resolution.
The Pride Month resolution passed with a 6-2 vote, with Councilors Adelene Ellenberg and Johnny Loreti voting against it. The Juneteenth resolution passed 7-1, with only Ellenberg opposed.
Councilor Mary McGrath proposed amendments to the Pride Month resolution, suggesting changes to terminology including replacing "safe haven" with "safe town" and removing the phrase "for all" in one paragraph. Her amendments failed in a 5-3 vote.
Ellenberg expressed concerns about potential legal implications of the flag resolutions.
"I feel that we need to take into account the taxpayer's position, and if the town were to be sued because of a flag issue, that could impact the taxpayers with funds going to settle a lawsuit," she said.
Chase countered these concerns by explaining the legal framework behind the town's flag-raising ordinance.
"The flag-raising ordinance is designed in such a way as to take the free speech of citizens who come forward to petition the council and transform it into government speech," Chase said. "We approve each specific application that comes from a citizen. So that imprimatur of approval is exactly what constitutes government speech."
The council also unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by McGrath to fly the Purple Heart flag under the POW/MIA flag at the Academy building from May 1 to May 31, 2025.
During the meeting, the council also approved a $25,000 transfer order for the installation of new flagpoles. This transfer and expenditure was previously recommended by the Budget & Finance Committee, but not recommended by the Finance Committee. The funds will come from the town's one-time stabilization fund.
Town Manager Blythe Robinson noted that fundraising efforts for the flagpoles are ongoing, with approximately $3,000 already raised. Any funds raised will be returned to the account from which the initial funding is drawn.
The flagpole funding passed in a 6-2 vote, with Ellenberg and Loreti opposed.
Ellenberg questioned the timing of the expenditure given the town's financial situation.
"I have had quite a number of constituents say why are you spending money on this when we have an override pending," she said. "I would say to set a good example that we are being fiscally responsible, we don't approve this now."
Councilor Mark Linde supported the flagpole funding, noting, "I think that neither the town manager nor the finance director would recommend anything out of line where we have funds in this fiscal year budget."
During public comments, several residents expressed support for the flag resolutions.
Laureen Powers of Sunrise Drive thanked the council for supporting the flag raisings.
"It means so much to the community, for the LGBTQ, for this increased racism that we're all aware of. For them to know the support that they have, especially for the youth, it's huge," she said.
Beryl Domingo of Saddle Drive shared her personal connection to the Pride flag.
"When my son Micah first came out to us as transgender, our main worries were for his safety in Bridgewater and elsewhere. But once I saw the pride flag flying in front of our town offices in Bridgewater the first time, and each year since then, I knew my child would be safe here," she said.
Janet Hanson of Pleasant Street questioned whether the flag resolutions needed to be approved annually.
"I thought in the beginning it was decided that this was gonna be something that was gonna just automatically be every year," she said. "I thought it was a done deal, so I'd appreciate it maybe in your discussion or comments, somebody can let me know if this is something that's gonna have to come up every single year."
Dr. Michael Thomas of Magnolia Way urged caution regarding flag displays.
"Being in front of town hall, it represents all the citizens of Bridgewater, so that's something to consider," he said. "It's not just an easy decision... you've got to consider other groups that have other significance to their groups."
In other business, the council approved an $8,008,272.33 override proposal to be placed on the ballot in June. The override would fund school needs, road repairs, restoration of budgetary cuts, and additional town services.
The town election is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bridgewater Middle School.
Read more about Town Council Candidates’ positions on issues including downtown revitalization, the school budget and override, water quality and the Community Preservation Act.Â
Also see our article on the candidates for B-R School Committee. Â
Complete coverage of School Committee, Town Council and Raynham Selectmen discussion on the school budget and override can be found here.
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Watch the complete Town Council Meeting courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater.