New Flagpole Planned For Fort Barton Redoubt

should receive some renewed prominence this year with a replaced flagpole, thanks to a recently accepted legislative grant.

Rep. John Edwards (D-Tiverton, Portsmouth) handed a $2,000 check to Garry Plunkett, coordinator of stewardship for the Open Space and Land Preservation Commission, at the Tiverton Town Council meeting on Monday night for the endeavor. Edwards applied for the grant in December.

“It’s a nice area of Tiverton,” Edwards said on Tuesday, adding that he will find a state and U.S. flag to raise once it's ready to go. “This is what legislative grants are meant for.”

Today, a rusted base sits just south of the Redoubt’s tower. Plunkett said the old pole, in the same condition, was removed about two to three years ago by the Department of Public Works and the job was never completed.

In its day, the Redoubt’s flags were raised by hose and tractor, Plunkett added, saying it was a primitive way to raise a flag. For the new flagpole, Plunkett said they sought out the vendor, which was not local, and do not know when it will be delivered.

“I forgot the exact cost of the one we’ve got our eyes on,” he said. “I think we need another eight or nine hundred dollars to buy it. It’ll come out of Open Space funds.”

The new flagpole is slated to go mounted at the same base, and when it's ready to go they will most likely hold a formal event to raise the new flags, Plunkett added.