Town to investigate cost and options for a Main Street clock using remaining façade funds

Town staff said three façade grant recipients withdrew, freeing roughly $191,825 in ARPA‑sourced facade funds. A resident and some business representatives suggested purchasing a two‑sided street clock for Main Street as a streetscape enhancement; staff presented vendor price ranges (approximately $15,000–$32,500 per unit depending on style and scale) and annual maintenance costs estimated at $500–$1,000.

Councilors debated whether a single large 'Victorian' clock would be an appropriate use of remaining façade funds or whether money should be used for lighting, benches, planters, safety improvements or other streetscape projects across multiple village centers (Wakefield and Pease Dale were discussed). Staff noted other funding sources (a $350,000 infrastructure bank allocation for downtown improvements) and said some projects (intersection reorientation, design work) are more costly and may not be accomplishable in the short ARPA spending window; procuring cost estimates via an RFP/RFQ for a clock would not obligate the town to purchase but would produce firm price options.

The council asked staff to prepare an RFP or price estimates and to return with a recommended list of projects inclusive and exclusive of a clock so the council could compare options before committing funds.