Community Corner
'Thin Blue Line' Flags Pulled From Fire Trucks: Patch PM
Also: WWII veteran and former Braintree police officer dies, preliminary steps taken for East Milton Square Bridge construction project.
HINGHAM, MA — It's Friday, July 24. Here's what Patch has been covering on the South Shore and across Massachusetts today.
The union representing Hingham firefighters said a "thin blue line" American flag it said was placed on a fire apparatus as a tribute to slain Weymouth Sgt. Michael Chesna on the second anniversary of his death this week will be removed after it was determined to be a violation of town policy.
The Hingham Firefighters Local 2398 said a complaint about the flag was filed against the department.
Find out what's happening in Hinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The flags were recently put on the apparatus leading up to the anniversary of the senseless murder of officer Michael Chesna in our neighboring community of Weymouth," the union said in a statement. "We continued to fly the flags after the anniversary in support of the law enforcement officers in our own community, as well as all law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day.
"At no time was this meant to be a political statement in any way."
Find out what's happening in Hinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Also on the South Shore
William Varosso, 94, a WWII veteran and former Braintree police officer has died. Police announced the death of the Purple Heart recipient on Thursday evening.
"Known to many as 'Officer Bill', he was the town's first safety officer and will forever remain a legend to the Braintree Police," Braintree police said in a Facebook post.
Varroso joined the United States Navy when he was 18. On July 24, 1945, Varroso was aboard a destroyer, the USS Underhill, which was leading a convoy of tank landing ships. Two "suicide submarines," typically operated by one Japanese sailor armed with 3,000 pounds of explosives, rammed the Underhill, splitting the ship and causing it to sink in the Pacific Ocean. Out of the 236 sailors aboard the Underhill, 122 survived, including Varroso.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday to present plans for the East Milton Square Bridge Deck Reconstruction project.
Mass DOT presented the plans to the Milton Select Board this past Wednesday.
Construction is set to begin in three phases beginning next month with pre-construction activities starting on Aug. 3 and construction beginning in mid-August.
The plan is designed to optimize "mobility for all throughout East Milton Square and creating a more inviting environment for visitors to Manning Park.
Also today....
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