OGDENSBURG – On the heals of a request from Councilor Jennifer Stevenson, Ogdensburg will improve its flag etiquette.

On Monday, Stevenson said she had received complaints and was concerned that the city has been negligent in it’s handling of the city’s flags, including the one at city hall, which had been at half-mast when it should not have been.

Stevenson suggested volunteers or perhaps firefighters might be willing to assist the city on days when staff members are not available.

In a public update issued Thursday City Manager Sarah Purdy said part of the problem stemmed from inconsistent notification from state agencies regarding when the flag should be lowered. Purdy said that issued being addressed.

Purdy said Ogdensburg firefighters will now assist city staff with handling the raising and lowering the flag during times that are outside of regular business hours. This is because when staff are not working, there is no-one to handle the flag.

Finally Purdy said the city will improve security at the poles to ensure that only city staff can raise or lower the flags.