Dartmouth unveils new flagpoles

The Town of Dartmouth raised the flag on a new patriotic project. 

Eleven flagpoles have been placed in front of Town Hall, with all the military branches represented and a gold star flag. There is one flag pole without a flag, which will eventually sport a purple heart flag. 

Veterans Service Officer Matt Brouillette wanted to make Dartmouth a purple heart community. One requirement to become a purple heart community is to fly a purple heart flag on Purple Heart Day, which is Aug. 7. 

However, Brouillette felt this was not enough. He came up with the idea to have the military branch flags flown, and presented it to the Select Board. 

“As soon as the first flag started going up the pole, it just made such a difference,” said Heidi Silva-Brooks, the Select Board chairperson. 

The flagpoles cost around $23,000 with another $4,000 for the flags. The funds came from a Facilities and Maintenance account under general funds. 

The flags are flying but the project is not over. Peter Chasse from DCTV lit up Town Hall with temporary red, white and blue lights for Veterans Day, and will eventually install permanent lights. Once winter is over, the Department of Public Works will be planting around the flag poles. 

“I’ve never done a project like this,” said Broillette, “But seeing how it turned [out,] it's so worth it.”

On May 5, a representative will be coming out to officially declare the town a purple heart community.