The New Ipswich Select Board opened the door to hosting banners featuring New Ipswich veterans or service members during its meeting on Tuesday.

The board heard a presentation from Concord for Hometown Heroes Banners, a company that sells banners that are displayed on public streets. The banners feature a photo of the veteran, their branch of service and medals they’ve gained.

In order to allow the hanging of banners from telephone poles in town, the Select Board needs to apply for a permit from Eversource, which owns the poles, which the board unanimously agreed to do.

Matthew Wieczhalek-Seiler started Concord for Hometown Heroes Banners in honor of his brother, Staff Sgt. Thomas P. Seiler, who died while on active duty.

Wieczhalek-Seiler said Concord for Hometown Heroes Banners installed banners on the town common in Rindge, and an active-duty service member from New Ipswich saw them and called to inquire about having a similar banner installed in New Ipswich.

The town approved up to 10 telephone poles to be used to host banners, with the possibility of more if there is demand.

Individuals or families purchase the banners, not the town. The banners will be on display from just prior to Memorial Day until just after Veterans Day. Concord for Hometown Heroes Banners hangs and takes down the banners annually, and stores them during the time they are not hanging.

Banners cost $225 for a single-sided banner, and $295 for a two-sided banner. The cost covers the first three years of their display. Following that initial period, the banners will continue to be hung, stored and maintained for a $25 annual fee.

Wieczhalek-Seiler said in addition to veterans, the company is also in the final stages of completing a template for banners for first-responders, which are expected to be available within approximately a month.

Concord for Hometown Heroes is accepting orders from residents or recent residents of New Ipswich for banners honoring family members or loved ones. The veteran featured on the banner does not have to be from or connected to New Ipswich.

For information about ordering a banner in either Rindge or New Ipswich, or for information, visit concordforhometownheroesbanners.com or send email to Wieczhalek-Seiler at mattseiler5757@gmail.com.

Alvarez named to Zoning Board

Board members voted to appoint fellow Select Board member Lou Alvarez as a full member of the New Ipswich Zoning Board. Alvarez was previously serving as an alternate on the board. The appointment was approved 2-0 with Alvarez abstaining.

The board also appointed Melissa Mack to the town’s Finance Advisory Committee.

Farmers market and dog registration

Saturday is the third week of the town’s farmers market, held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Also on Saturday, the town clerk’s office will be open to accept registration of dogs, as all town tags expire this weekend. There will also be a rabies vaccine clinic offered at the Department of Public Works building in the back of the town office from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and the town’s Green Center is open from 9 a.m. to noon.

To accommodate traffic, those getting dog tags are asked to use the front parking lot, and residents there for any other purpose are asked to reserve those spots only for those registering dogs. Farmers market parking should be behind the town office. For vaccines and the Green Center, follow signs guiding cars to the appropriate locations.

Ashley Saari can be reached at  603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.

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