No decision on Rotary clock tower’s future

The Rotary Clock Tower is in need of repairs with the brickwork on the exterior of the building decaying. Although town council set aside money for repairs in the budget, contractors suggested the building may need more serious repairs than just exterior masonry touch-ups. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town council approved a $7,000 engineering report on the integrity of the Rotary Clock Tower’s brickwork, putting off repairs as the possibility of an entire rebuild was raised.

Adam Kannawin, manager of parks and facilities, presented council with a report recommending spending $7,000 of $45,000 budgeted for repairing the clock tower in the 2025 budget to complete a study of “the compromised exterior masonry of the clock tower.” He also suggested putting the remaining funds of the $45,000 in a reserve.

Coun. Chris Rosehart asked if there wasn’t in-house expertise to complete it, instead of paying a consultant.

Kannawin explained the project had been reviewed with the town’s engineering team, and it was felt someone with expertise in building science should complete the study. He added three quotes were received for the repairs, and “Two of the three warned us there was something catastrophic going on behind the scenes.” He referred to a 2019 report that found the exterior brick was integral to the structure.

Coun. Chris Parker asked if the replacement of the structure was needed and if that would be part of the report, Coun. Kelly Spencer wanted to see the report would have options.

Kannawin said a future report could look at the future of the clock tower.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy believes there are three to four layers of brick, and asked if anyone has looked at the original drawings, which hasn’t happened yet she learned. Kannawin committed to checking these, explaining the 2019 report stated the brick exterior is part of the tower's structure.

The mayor also agreed a report should have options for the future of the structure.

“At the end of the day, I don’t think we could do this without additional study,” Kannawin said. “If it is part of the structure, we need to confirm the façade is good before we can proceed.”

Gilvesy also questioned the suggestion to move the remaining funds allocated for the repair into a reserve, rather than keeping them available, as the council was dedicated to fixing the tower.

“$38,000 won’t be enough if we are looking at a full replacement, which I think will be the outcome of the report,” Kannawin said.

Coun. Chris Rosehart still questioned spending money on a report.

“I’m struggling spending the $7,000. These masonries know what they are doing,” she said.

In the end, council approved the study and moving $38,000 to the facilities capital reserve.