Timing of Funding Good for Clock

Levin’s town clock, above the Post Office, is set for a $66,500 upgrade as obsolete and irreparable parts cause maintenance headaches.

The clock and spire were installed in 1999 by the Levin Rotary Club through voluntary effort and fundraising. Horowhenua District Council agreed to maintain the clock.

In the 2008/2009 Annual Plan, expenditure of $35,000 was approved for a significant upgrade of the clock mechanisms and structure, but it was recognised that more money would need to be sourced locally for the job.

Thanks to a generous donation of $31,000 from the Horowhenua Community Trust, the work can now begin.

Parks Assets Officer Doug Tate says the clock’s main controller, motors and temperature panels have irreparable damage and require upgrading.

“Some items cannot be replaced due to being obsolete and new parts are incompatible with existing controls and mechanisms.

“Now that funding has been secured, the new clock componentry has been ordered from suppliers in Germany and is likely to be in the country by mid-August 2009.”

It is likely to take two weeks to complete the job and reinstate the spire – the whole structure will have to be moved.

Hinging of the clock face will be changed to internal so that maintenance can be done without the need for a crane. Work will also include replacing the clock motors, installing an electronic GPS (global positioning system) to allow programming for daylight saving time, new temperature gauges and panels, and better lighting for night illumination.

The job should be finished by early September 2009.