UTICA — The new Utica town clock was installed in front of the CES Credit Union Tuesday morning. A project of the Utica Sertoma, the idea was first proposed by member Sonny Stone, who passed away about a year ago.
Al Shomaker is treasurer of the project, and explained the installation process.
“This was a project started by Sonny Stone several years ago, but never got completed,” said Shoemaker. “We took it on to see it come to completion, and today we’re actually going to install the clock as soon as the crane gets here to set it.”
The base for the clock was already in place. Cornerstone Construction of Martinsburg did the masonry work on the base, and some work was being done around the base in preparation to laying bricks; bricks can be sponsored to help pay for the cost of the project.
Although the weather was cold — in the low 30s — the work went on as planned, with a small gathering of Utica Sertoma members, workers and some interested onlookers present.
The installation was done in two parts. First, a post had to be installed on the base. Then the clock itself was hoisted on top of the post.
“The crane is being provided by KMA Electric out of Newark,” Shomaker explained. “Those wires [sticking out of the base] will be hooked up before the clock is set in place. Because we didn’t have a lot of room here, the clock was stored at the mill. A truck will be bringing it here soon and the crane will lift it in place.”
The whole process took only about 45 minutes, once the crane and clock arrived. Once the post was gently guided into place on the base and bolted down, workers from KMA Electric threaded the wires through the post.
The clock itself, weighing in at 398 pounds, was then uncrated and lifted onto the pedestal. Final tweaking took place and it was attached to the pedestal. The whole assemblage stands 14 feet tall.
Official dedication of the clock will take place Dec. 10 during the Utica Christmas Walk.
