Trustees of War Memorials Meeting
Trustees reviewed Memorial Day activities and agreed to prioritize citywide flagpole maintenance and coordination (locations discussed include Rocky Hill Road, Friend Street, Union Cemetery, Training Field and others) and discussed care/custody and restoration needs for local war memorials, including the Civil War soldiers memorial and a rusted 75-mm cannon at Mt. Prospect.
The Trustees reviewed Memorial Day events, praising volunteer and Veterans Services efforts and noting some flags were not at half-mast; Veterans Services clarified that only one city flagpole is required to be at half-mast and that other poles (such as Justin Park) fall outside their jurisdiction. The group thanked volunteers who planted and watered urns, praised the Rotary Club flags, and noted the guest speaker will coordinate further programs with Veterans Services. The Trustees agreed to encourage youth involvement in placing flags on veterans' graves and noted one high-school volunteer provided community service this year.
Financial balances were reported (Trust Fund principal $3,000 with $14,626.61 interest, current balance $17,626.61 for Soldiers’ Memorial care; RESTOR balance $15,625.15 for care/restoration of all City war memorials). The meeting focused heavily on inventorying flagpoles: members reviewed maintenance needs and current responsibilities for many sites (Rocky Hill Road, Polish Memorial, Friend Street poles, Fire Station, Union Cemetery, Training Field, Costello Center, Highlands Memorial Park, Alliance Park, Amesbury Boat Ramp, Library, etc.). Specific maintenance needs were identified (hardware repair, stripping/repainting, replacement of fittings), and Trustees agreed to make flagpole maintenance a priority, pursue contractors (Prime Coatings and contact Wayne Capolupo), and coordinate further with schools and local volunteers. Other updates: the Justin Memorial walkway was power-washed by Public Works and hedges around Sumner Goldsmith Park were trimmed by volunteers.