DORIS COOK
Star Beacon
August 13, 2007 12:23 pm
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ORWELL - - The new town clock put up Friday in the village intersection got lots of attention from passersby and a few officials.
"It adds a little bit of class to the town," said Mayor Larry Bottoms as he watched the installation crew from Verdin Clock Co. and village street department.
The $17,000 clock is a long awaited project for the village's Park and Recreation Board. Todd Hultzman of Medina with the Cincinnati-based clock company supervised the installation starting around 9:30 a.m.
Street Department superintendent, Mark Calabrese used a backhoe to lift the two pieces of the 12-foot tall dark green and gold trim clock in place. A concrete base was laid by village employees a week ago for the decorative piece.
David Bear of Bear Electrical Co. of North Bloomfield did the underground electric hookup for the newest addition to the southeast east corner park. The clock sets near a historic marker about a famous native son, U.S. Army General Adna R. Chaffee, who fought in the Civil War and ended his career as Army Chief of Staff.
Bottoms said the Orwell Township trustees approved the clock to be installed in their township owned park downtown.
Board member Darlene Hartz said, "Our board has saved up money for the past four years to buy the clock. We looked at clocks in various towns to see what would be nice for Orwell."
Hartz said in talking with other communities as to companies to check out for the clock, Verdin Clock Co. was highly recommended. She said the company representatives worked aggressively to get the clock delivered before the annual Grand Valley Festival begins Friday.
A computer control system was installed in the clock base. Bottoms said the clock will be lighted at night by an automatic sensor.
The clock has four sides so people can tell time from every angle at the intersection. Hultzman said the top part is made from reinforced fiberglass with a cast aluminum base, all guaranteed for many years.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 8/12/2007
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