"When we did the proclamation for the first time...people shared Facebook photos," said Snow. "Immediately, people complained that there were flags on the center for the arts."
Snow said a threatening phone call to the arts center filled many LGBTQ residents and their family and friends with trepidation.
A symbol of acceptance
In September 2019, the board, after debate, adopted a policy to allow only governmental flags to be displayed at municipal sites.
Although the policy change followed the threat, Snow said he understands the policy change did not result from the alleged threat, or complaints about Pride flags.
Resident Milo Ransdell said, "The year you put [the flag] at the high school, it made me feel so accepted and loved...again, just to build up what Patrick said, I'm not calling anyone a bigot, or a homophobe...Chelmsford is normally a very accepting place."