Wyckoff Committee Unanimously Approves Flagpole Resolutions

At the August 6 meeting of the Wyckoff Township Committee, the Committee, by unanimous consent, voted to adopt two resolutions pertaining to the installation of a new flagpole on Township property. On the advice of a subcommittee consisting of Mayor Tom Madigan and Committeewoman Melissa Rubenstein, the Township Committee first adopted a resolution to codify the Township’s commitment to inclusivity as it pertains to all of its residents. The Township Committee also unanimously passed a resolution to install a new flag pole with the flag of Wyckoff to be flown continually throughout the year, with other flags conveying government speech to be flown periodically throughout the year. In the upcoming year, these flags will reflect resolutions previously passed by the Township Committee including those commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness, Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, LGBTQ Pride and Heart Health. The subcommittee recommended two locations for the flagpole, the first being next to the Wyckoff Free Public Library and the second at the entrance to the Memorial Field Complex. By unanimous consent, the Township Committee chose to install the flagpole on Memorial Field next to the Library. Committeewoman Rubenstein cited the excellent opportunity not only for visibility (the library as of mid-year had over 54,000 visits and there is proximity to all of the recreation facilities at Memorial Field, as well as the playground), but for a nexus to education, as the library would have the opportunity to tie in educational displays and materials to the flag currently being flown. Mayor Madigan reflected the sentiment that this location was ideal as it is centrally located within the Township Recreational Campus across from the Community Playground and near the entranceway to both the sports fields and the Wyckoff Free Public Library. Additionally Mayor Madigan pointed out that the new flag pole location will ensure that we have acted in a constitutional manner and will not be a public forum.