ATHOL — After a severe storm struck the area earlier last week, pieces of wood from Town Hall’s clock tower dislodged and landed on the front steps leading into Memorial Hall.
Selectboard Chairman Stephen Raymond reported to members the clock tower is deteriorating. Building Commissioner Bob Legare used a ladder truck to inspect the tower, remove loose pieces and examine the structure for additional damage.
“We’ve known that tower has been getting bad. Another piece of wood fell on the steps. We removed all loose pieces,” he told the board.
Legare noted some of the pieces are held together by caulking, and said it was a good group effort from Town Hall staff. The police put out traffic cones, and janitor Dennis Kimball cleaned up the area.
Legare said the structure itself is sound. It is the trim and decorative woodworking that is coming off.
“The trim has a lot of rot,” he said, adding that “the paint has been coming off for years.”
The Memorial Building Committee was scheduled to meet June 26 to discuss the steps needed to restore and preserve the clock tower. Member Nancy Burnham reported there was no quorum, and the meeting could not be held. Members on the committee include Ben Feldman (chairman), Burnham, Stephen Raymond, Rebecca Bialecki and John Greene. Other items listed on the agenda were an update of the building superintendent position and members’ concerns.
Selectwoman Rebecca Bialecki said it has come to her attention that panhandlers have been spotted near Market Basket.
“Athol is now a true success,” she said. “With lots of traffic coming into town, we now have our own special panhandlers using the intersection near Market Basket.”
She said they were a little aggressive and made some motorists uncomfortable. She said the town does not have a bylaw in place to address panhandlers.
“It’s never been an issue for Athol,” she said. “It might be something we need to look at as Quabbin Commons continues to grow.”