Earlier this week Bracebridge councillors agreed it’s time to take a second look at the amount the Town is contributing for maintenance of the historic downtown clock tower.
On Tuesday, the Town’s general committee told staff to look at increasing the amount of funding they contribute to the privately owned clock tower’s maintenance.
The owners currently receive $2,500 annually for maintenance but the committee agreed they should consider increases for inflation to be included in the 2024 Town budget.
Mayor Rick Maloney said funding for the clock tower has not been increased since 2017.
“This is just a recognition that it didn’t receive the same CPI (Consumer Price Index) increases that we ourselves have petitioned the provincial government for in many cases,” said Maloney. “It hasn’t been adjusted, it should be adjusted.”
In a letter to council, Clock Tower Centre owners Debi and Colin Sheffield said they purchased the tower in 2015 with an eye toward developing long-term relationships that put tenants and the neighbourhood first.
“We have allocated time and resources to keep the clock in top condition, including, but not limited to, training staff to maintain the clock, supervising the weekly winding of the clock, and bringing in Canada’s top horologist to calibrate, clean and repair the clock,” they said. “This past year, the expenses associated with clock maintenance came to $14,825.”
Council agreed unanimously to move the request forward.
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