[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Chicopee 4-4-2023 by Ord. No. 23-8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines for the display by the City of Chicopee of 1) flags of governments recognized by the federal government, and 2) other flags in front of City Hall on the City Hall traffic island. Nothing herein shall be construed to conflict with City of Chicopee Code, Chapter 87.
It is the policy of the City of Chicopee that flags should be displayed in conformance with federal and state policies, as stated in the federal "Our Flag" publication of the Congress, House Document No. 96- 144; Chapter 2, § 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Chapter 2, § 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Outdoor flags will be flown at City facilities in the following order of precedence: first, the United States flag; second, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag; and third, the City of Chicopee flag.
A. 
Flags in front of City Hall shall be displayed in accordance with the above standards. However, the Mayor may order flags to be lowered to half-staff, including, but not limited to, flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in honor of the death of a City employee killed in the line of duty, or in observance of a specific event or circumstance.
B. 
Pursuant to proclamation of the Mayor, or resolution of the City Council, other flags may be flown by the City in place of the City of Chicopee flag.
The City's flagpoles are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public. The following flags may be displayed by the City as an expression of the City's official sentiments:
A. 
Flags of government recognized by the United States. Flags of government recognized by the United States may be displayed upon the proclamation of the Mayor or by resolution of the City Council.
B. 
Flags displayed in conjunction with official events or ceremonies as announced by mayoral proclamation or City Council resolution. By proclamation of the Mayor or resolution of the City Council, other flags may be displayed as official City events or ceremonies.
C. 
Ownership of other flags. The City shall acquire ownership of all flags that it flies in place of the City of Chicopee flag.
D. 
The City will endeavor to display other flags for a period of five business days unless requested for a longer or shorter time by the requestor. In no circumstances will an other flag be flown for more than 30 calendar days.
This chapter shall take effect upon passage.