Date: Fri 29-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

flag-fund-Lydem

Full Text:

Flag Fund Is Out Of Money

The town is seeking to replenish its fund for the purchase of flags and

maintenance of the Main Street flagpole.

Police Lieutenant David Lydem, who oversees the flagpole and flag displays,

says the town's flagpole account has no money in it.

The lieutenant is seeking donations from individuals and organizations to keep

money in the account.

From Memorial Day until October, the town flies 20-by-30-foot nylon flags on

the pole. From October to Memorial Day, smaller flags which are better suited

to wintertime conditions, are flown. They measure 12 feet by 18 feet.

When the town buys three or more of the large flags, the price is $450 per

flag. When buying the smaller flags, the price is $225 per flag, if at least

three are purchased.

The large flags are almost three times as big as the smaller flags.

Lt Lydem has overseen the flying of flags and flagpole maintenance for the

past 15 years.

Basic flagpole maintenance involves steeplejacks repainting the pole, as

needed. Sometimes, the effects of weathering require that the flagpole be

sandblasted before it is repainted.

The pole, situated at the intersection of Main Street, Church Hill Road and

West Street, has been designated a historic landmark and is considered the

visual centerpiece of the Main Street Historic District.

People and organizations interested in donating funds for the flag and

flagpole account may make their checks payable to Town of Newtown (Flagpole).

The checks may be mailed to Lieutenant David Lydem, Newtown Department of

Police Services, 3 Main Street, Newtown, CT, 06470.