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Clock at Town Hall to be replaced with a digital version

Following a lengthy debate, Huntsville Council voted begrudgingly in favour of replacing the clock at Town Hall with a more economical digital version.

A staff report noted that it would cost an estimated $980,000 within the next three years to keep the clock ticking. The report also stated that with the digital option, and the flip of a switch, the colour of the clock’s face could be changed for special occasions such as Canada Day.

The numbers on the face of the clock would be changed from Roman to Arabic numerals, explained staff. “The clock will be easier to read, especially at night, when the numbers are lit up in different colours,” added the staff report.

Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock said she would be sorry to see the clock go but noted that at least the clock tower would remain untouched. “It’s unfortunate, but the cost to maintain the clock has become prohibitive,” added staff.

Council unanimously approved the recommendation at the meeting held on April 1, 2023.

Gotcha? Happy April Fool’s Day! =)

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10 Comments

  1. Bonnie Branton says:

    Well….I was so engrossed in trying to understand how a clock’s maintenance could approach a million dollars – oversized diamond jewel movement? – have to fly in a clock Meister? -you got me!
    Well played.

  2. ENNO KERCKHOFF says:

    Yup, got me too !….good. I could hardly get past the 2nd para….

    My father was a Master Watchmaker…..whose Master’s “Exam” was to make a pocket watch from “blanks” of metal….using hand tools like a coping saw and a lathe.

    His store in Germany had a large, very old, dual faced clock which he serviced while leaning from a 2nd story window.

    In his later years he specialized in doing housecalls on standing clocks. I’m pretty sure he would have loved a million dollar contract to “service” our town clock…

    (I bet Terry put you up to this ! LOL)

  3. Lanor Lovegrove says:

    You got me too. I went from “ohhhh nooooo”, to “thank goodness,” to a big smile all in two minutes.
    Well done.

  4. Chris Mathews says:

    Got me too, until I was reading the comments before sending a snarky response😄

  5. BILL BEATTY says:

    Just about to thank Terry Smith for His many years of dedicated service to keeping the clock running . You ruined My Rant !

  6. Murray Christenson says:

    Have to admit, you got me! Well played lol!

  7. Lorrice Carruthers says:

    Certainly put a smile on my face. Thank you.

  8. Lorrice Carruthers says:

    Well I had a good laugh on this one. Thank you!

  9. Rose Evans says:

    Good one- it was great for a giggle 👏👏👏

  10. Cameron Renwick says:

    Doppler, in a day and an age when what we read online is often upsetting for legitimate reasons, thank you for having a little bit of fun with “news”. I appreciated the smile : )