Two Cos Cob School teachers want to hang banners honoring local veterans on utility poles along the Post Road, but a state jurisdiction question could steer the pilot to Greenwich Avenue instead.

Melissa D'Amato and Chris Powers, both teachers at Cos Cob School, presented their "Hometown Heroes" banner program to the Greenwich Board of Selectmen at a meeting in October, asking for conceptual support and permission to coordinate with other town bodies, Patch reported. The selectmen did not take a formal vote.

The proposal calls for 20 to 30 banners featuring local veterans' photographs, names, branches of service and ranks or service era. The banners would hang from Memorial Day through Veterans Day, starting with a pilot in Cos Cob. Organizers aim to launch in May or June 2027, before the school year ends, so students can take part in the unveilings.

Powers said the program would be "revenue neutral" to the town. Private donations, family and business sponsorships and school-led fundraising would cover all costs, according to Patch.

The teachers also want a dedicated page on the town website to display honoree biographies, student research and information about nominations and sponsorships. Cos Cob School teachers would volunteer to keep the page updated, D'Amato said, according to Patch.

Powers said organizers have reached out to Commander Peter LeBeau of American Legion Post 29 to ensure the veteran community can help guide the project. LeBeau's response has not been reported.

First Selectman Fred Camillo praised the idea and said he met with the Greenwich Department of Public Works (DPW), which also supports the plan. "They love the idea, too," Camillo said, according to Patch.

But Camillo raised a hurdle. The Post Road falls under state jurisdiction, meaning the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT-DOT) would need to grant final approval for banners there. Camillo said he planned to reach out to CT-DOT and noted that if the Post Road is not an option, other Cos Cob streets could be examined. He added that the area lacks enough light posts for the banners.

Greenwich Avenue would serve as a fallback. Cos Cob School would still help with the unveiling, Camillo said, according to Patch. He added that the program could eventually expand to other neighborhoods, naming Pemberwick and Glenville as possibilities.

Camillo indicated the board's full support and said he would get the initiative moving. The Board of Selectmen agenda packet contains additional details on the proposal.

Cos Cob School already holds an annual Veterans Day ceremony each November with student songs, speeches and presentations. The banner program would extend that recognition beyond a single event, D'Amato said.

The next step is CT-DOT's answer on the Post Road.