Confederate battle flag that flew over Walpole HS field comes down

WALPOLE, Mass. — After years of flying near Walpole High School's Turco Field, a Confederate battle flag has come down.

This flag has caused controversy for years, but is technically not on school grounds. It was put up by a resident whose home abuts the property.

The school has been forced to make an announcement before every football game to distance the town from it.

“I'm just appreciative of whoever made the decision. Don't think it reflects the value of Walpole,” School committee Chariwoman Nancy Gallivan said.

Last year, school officials put up a pole and banner to block the fight of the flag for spring graduation. After the June massacre of African-American church members in Charleston, a more permanent banner was erected to block it.

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The owner of the property, Joseph Finneran was a Walpole High School graduate. He and his wife died this past fall and FOX25 has learned a caretaker has been looking over the house since.

It's unclear if the caretaker took the flag down, but Walpole residents are just glad it's not there anymore.

“It should've been taken down a long time ago, I don't know who was for it. I don't think anyone was for it,” Chris Randall said.

The town is currently in the process of trying to figure out how to “rebrand” the Rebel nickname for the mascot, making it less of a nod to the Rebel south.

While police were at the house a neighbor also alerted them to an explosive device that had been found nearby. Police said they believe it was an old mortar possibly owned by Finneran.

Cox Media Group