By Bill Forry
Managing Editor

It's been almost a year since a lighting strike nearly toppled a landmark pole next to Edward Everett Square, leaving the high-profile park without its mammoth American flag. The giant explosion scattered javelin-sized shards of wood across nearby streets and, for a time, caused evacuations for some neighbors who live beneath the towering mast.

Now, the state agency that controls the site is finally coming to the nearby community to discuss ways to restore the pole to its former glory. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was set to huddle with neighbors last night (Wed., May 24) at the Clapp House on Boston Street. A consultant hired to do an assessment of the pole's stability was expected to give his recommendations on how to proceed.

"If the pole cannot be repaired in an economically feasible manner, we'd be looking at various options for replacement," said Jeffrey Harris, a DCR manager. "If that is the outcome of the study, one of the things we'd look to the community for is feedback on what kind of flagpole they'd want to see in its place."

A research project conducted by a local Girl Scouts group several years ago described the mast as the tallest wooden flagpole in the state. Until last summer, it boasted the largest American flag in the city, too: A striking, 40-by-22 foot flag that neighbors from the nearby McCormack Civic Association maintained. However, no flag of any size has been flown at the site since last July's electrical storm, for fear of further damage and possible collapse.

The flagpole is situated next to a statue of Edward Everett, the Dorchester-born and bred statesman whose name adorns the nearby intersection of Columbia Road, Mass. Ave, East Cottage and Boston Streets. The square is being overhauled by the city of Boston this year. Neighbor Armando Gaitan says he hopes that the state finds a way to restore the existing flagpole in time for the square's re-dedication.

"Replacing the pole would be incredibly expensive," Gaitan says. "Where are you going to find a wooden mast that height? I don't know where?"