Chelmsford Business Holds Fundraiser To Remove 700 Flags

CHELMSFORD, MA – A dispute over a town bylaw that drew nationwide attention ultimately ended up raising money for a good cause. LAER Realty held a Flag Take Down fundraiser over the weekend to remove some 700 American flags displayed on its front lawn. The fundraiser will benefit Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, according to the Lowell Sun.

The town found itself at the center of controversy last month after requesting that LAER remove some flags from its initial 200-flag display. LAER responded by adding more flags, and some residents placed flags of their own after the order sparked outrage.

Shortly after the initial order, Town Manager Paul Cohen said Chelmsford would not seek further action to remove any flags from the front lawn of the business. In a statement on the town's Facebook page, Cohen said that the building commissioner, who issued the order, did not have any bias toward the display and did not order all flags to be removed.

"The Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer is a former Marine, who respects the flag and loves his country. He did not seek to act in an unpatriotic way," Cohen wrote. "He was seeking to enforce his interpretation of the Town Code which considers flags as signs when displayed in connection with commercial promotion."

The town will also review the language of the current code to determine what clarification and changers should be put forth to Town Meeting, according to Cohen.

LAER Agent Partner Jon Crandall told the Lowell Sun there were about 700 flags on the lawn at one point.

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