A group of friends and family gather on Nov. 8 to dedicate a plaque in memorial of Michael Flagg at the town office in Wilton. Flagg led the building of the accessible ramp at the town office in 1983 for his Eagle Scout Service Project. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

The new memorial plaque for Michael Flagg as seen on Nov. 8 at the town office in Wilton. The sign was created by Signworks in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

WILTON — Friday evening, Nov. 8, Hazel Flagg led a ceremony for the plaque dedication of her late son, Michael Flagg at the Wilton town office.

The plaque recognizes Flagg’s efforts in making the town office more accessible by designing and leading Boy Scouts Troop 518 in building the ramp outside of the office for his Eagle Scout Service Project in 1983. Flagg passed away from pancreatic cancer on Feb. 29. He was 59 years old.

From left, Selectperson Keith Swett and Russell Black listen as Andy Shattuck gives a speech about Michael Flagg beside Flagg’s mother Hazel Flagg on Nov. 8 at the town office in Wilton. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

The Select Board voted three to two in support of the plaque dedication. Some were concerned with the legality and others about a process for other similar requests. Susanne Pilgrim, Maine Municipal Association staff attorney, said that it was “generally a legislative decision,” and that Wilton’s legislative body is the town meeting. Select Board Vice Chairperson Michael Wells didn’t think the decision should wait until the next annual town meeting, that the voters gave power to the selectpersons to make decisions for the town. The majority approved the plaque dedication.

A group of people gathered outside of the office in the cold wind to share kind words and memories associated with Flagg during the plaque dedication. Andy Shattuck spoke about Flagg, sharing that he lived on Weld Road, started his Boy Scout career as a Cub Scout. He said Flagg did a paper route for the Sun Journal for some time as well.

From left, Russell Black and Andy Shattuck accept photos from Hazel Flagg to pass around on Nov. 8 at the town office in Wilton. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

From left, Becky Tyler and Heather Meng, sisters of Michael Flagg, unveil the new memorial plaque on Nov. 8 at the town hall in Wilton. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

Shattuck was a Scout Master in Wilton. He explained that the title of Eagle Scout was a major achievement, that it is one of the most recognizable in the country. He said that military recruiters often seek out Eagle Scouts for leadership roles. Shattuck listed some famous examples of Eagle Scouts that many might not be aware of including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Steven Spielberg, Michael Jordan, and Martin Luther King Jr. He said that the prerequisites to becoming an Eagle Scout are to complete all of the lower ranks, obtain 21 badges, 14 of them being specific to skills like survival, showing scout spirit, and completing a final Eagle Scout project. He said that the project teaches skills in labor, leadership, organization, finding materials, and assisting others.

Russell Black spoke next saying that he felt he had a lot in common with Flagg. He said that he regrets never completing his journey to become an Eagle Scout, and that Flagg carried the Scout philosophy with him in all aspects of life.

Flagg’s mother passed around some photos for people to look. After people had had a chance to speak, Flagg’s sisters Heather Meng and Becky Tyler unveiled the new plaque on the side of the town office building. Flagg’s mother shared that the plaque was produced by Signworks in Farmington.

From left, Becky Tyler and Heather Meng, sisters of Michael Flagg, unveil the new memorial plaque on Nov. 8 at the town hall in Wilton. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal