A new Schuylkill Haven town clock will soon be a reality. The former clock dates back to the early 1990s and broke down in 2018, with the borough at the time unsure whether to repair or replace it.
Following a push by borough residents and organizations, a renewed effort was initiated in late 2018 to get a new clock or repair the old one. There was a $6,000 donation by the North Ward Social Club and nudging reminders from resident Ruth Tucci, a big advocate of seeing a clock back in town.
Early in 2021, the borough learned that replacing the clock would cost about $500 less than trying to repair the old one. The cost of the new clock from The Verdin Company was $12,505.
At its June 2 meeting, council voted to purchase a clock using the donated funds from North Ward, with the borough covering the balance with the intention of pursuing other avenues of donated funds. The borough agreed to pay a $630 per year annual maintenance fee to prevent future breakdowns. The clock order was initiated at that time with an expected arrival date of about six months.
Right on time cue, it was reported at the Jan. 19 meeting that the new clock has been delivered and is awaiting installation. Council agreed to take up the discussion in the future on what to do with the old clock. Options range from donating it to the historical society to seeing if another community may want it.
In other business, Councilwoman Diane Roeder was sworn into office. Kevin Kline had won the November elections for both a four-year and two-year seat. He picked the four-year seat. Council entertained two letters of interest for the seat, one of them being from Roeder, an outgoing council member. Following a unanimous vote, Roeder was appointed to the two-year seat.
In miscellaneous business:
• Council approved a check of $850 to Signal Service, Inc. for highway maintenance.
• Council approved a request from Girardville asking for fire police assistance for its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Mar. 26.
• Schuylkill Haven has received a donation from the Port Clinton Historical Commission of its old canal gate for the Schuylkill Haven Historical Museum. Back in the fall, it was announced that the commission was closing its doors and offering the gate to the borough. Secretary Kaitlyn Tinari said that the donation is being stored with a plan to await spring, when the gate’s new resting place will be decided by council.
Source: Berkshire mont
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