Hatboro Embarks on Next Phase of Clock Repair

With the first phase of the process to restart the hands of time for Hatboro's historic clock tower barely underway, officials are looking ahead to next steps.

The Hatboro Borough Council during its meeting Monday night formally approved a proposal from Keith Winship of Winships' Pieces of Time to devise a detailed report outlining the costs and repairs needed to restore and preserve the borough's 200-year-old clock tower, which sits atop borough hall. 

Winships' work to create the report - which is being funded by a 50-50 grant and local match - is expected to be complete by Dec. 31.

But, before that happens, Borough Manager Fred Zollers told Patch that the governing body is expected to take action next month on another state grant application. If awarded, that matching grant "would cover actual work," Zollers said. 

Borough historian David Shannon told Patch earlier this month that he was still working to determine an amount sought in the forthcoming grant application, which has a March 1 deadline. 

Shannon, through The Millbrook Society, is leading fundraising efforts associated with the local match needed for the clock, which was installed by Horsham native Isaiah Lukens in 1812, prior to his completion of a similar clock for Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

Officials have said it would cost between $35,000 to $50,000 to restore and preserve the clock and make it functional again. Winship's study would address anticipated repair costs, as well as the work itself needed to get the clock ticking again.