Shrewsbury seniors rally for their flags, porch furniture

SHREWSBURY - The flags must come down. So, too, must the deck chairs, wind chimes, and dozens of other staples of summertime evenings on the porch.

The Shrewsbury Housing Authority banned them all last week from residents' porches and patios, citing concerns about safety, in an announcement that has angered many public housing residents at the Francis Gardens complex.

"It's not fair," said Pat Henry, 64, who protested with 20 other residents at the complex yesterday. She wore a shirt with the slogan "Leave Me Alone" in huge letters across the front. "These things are all we've got, and we want to enjoy them before we go up yonder."

The new rule bans chairs, tables, flowerpots, wind chimes, flags, mobiles, birdhouses, and similar items from porches and patios. Entryways must be clear of floor mats, throw rugs, welcome mats, wall hangings, coat racks, shelves, furniture, umbrella stands, plants, and folding grocery carts.

Tenants who refused to comply with the new rule within five days of a written warning would have their belongings removed by the authority, which would dispose of them if no one retrieved the items after seven days.

Dennis Osborn, director of the Shrewsbury Housing Authority, said he had proposed the rule because clutter at the complex had reached hazardous proportions. Residents had also refused to comply with earlier requests to clean up, he said.

"Some of them really don't want to move anything," Osborn said. "They don't want to change at all."

The Shrewsbury Housing Authority operates 253 units, including 100 at Francis Gardens. Yet the rule is much stricter than anything in effect at the Boston Housing Authority, which rents 14,000 apartments.

"Basically, we want tenants to keep their yards and areas up," Boston Housing Authority communications director Lynne Agro said. "The only thing we ask is to not put out anything offensive. If they want to put out a bench or a flowerpot, that's fine."

The Francis Gardens complex is a series of two-story buildings that cater to elderly, low-income residents. Most of the residents are single and live in one-bedroom apartments with access to an outdoor porch or patio overlooking a parking lot. Many had already taken their flowerpots and benches indoors, fearful they would be confiscated.

Others, like Arlene Packard, were defiant. "I refuse to take my flag down," the 67-year-old said.

Judy DelSignore, president of the tenants' association, said she removed a wrought-iron bench she bought for her yard. She said that every time tenants attended a public meeting to protest the rules, housing authority officials would add more restrictions.

"They have gone too far," said Carrie Nabavi, whose mother lives in the complex. "Why is it called Francis Gardens if they can't hang a plant?"

Osborn said the town's fire chief agreed that the ban is in the best interest of residents.

"Plastic furniture is combustible," he said, adding that it can emit hazardous fumes in a fire.

The housing authority's six-member board unanimously passed the rule this month, he said.

He also said residents are allowed to bring furniture and chairs outside, as long as they bring them back inside at the end of each day.

Tenants planned yesterday's protest expecting a visit from Osborn.

He did not come, saying that he decided to hold a group meeting with residents at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow in the complex's community room. He said the town's fire chief and building inspector will accompany him.

Megan Woolhouse can be reached at mwoolhouse@globe.com.