Pacific Legal Foundation Challenges Newbury Flag Warning to 3 Plum Island Homeowners
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 27
Pacific Legal Foundation Challenges Newbury Flag Warning to 3 Plum Island Homeowners
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 27
Summary
Wednesday’s PLF letter to Newbury asks whether the town is claiming flags, streamers or reflective materials are legally barred on private beachfront property and what endangered-species authority supports that view.
The challenge followed notices sent last week to three Plum Island homeowners warning that devices deterring protected shorebirds could be treated as harassment under state and federal Endangered Species Acts, with potentially significant penalties.
Newbury says it is not banning patriotic displays and only relayed MassWildlife guidance, while MassWildLife separately said it has not issued violation notices or threatened penalties over American flags.
Residents tied the dispute to July 4 and the U.S. 250th anniversary after distributing about 50 American flags and 100 "Plum Island Honors America" signs, arguing the warning chilled ordinary property use and speech.