[RP TownTalk] Fwd: question about town center clock.

Tue Jul 26 11:42:06 UTC 2016

Bob,

After an initial investigation I can deduce that the Town Center clock's chimes have been off for approximately 6 years. As near as I can reconstruct the events, it happened at a confluence of two factors: one) was we received a number of complaints about the clock chimes, especially ringing at night and on weekends; two) the clock itself had a series of ongoing malfunctions and its manufacturer had gone out of business.  

For almost a year there were frequent clock malfunctions with it often not being at the correct time.  Obviously during that time we did not want the chime to ring--at the wrong time-- and some of the malfunctions were with the chime itself. 

After we found a new source of service and were able to get the clock to perform its primary function of telling time accurately and dependably the chime was not turned back on--IF the malfunction in the chime itself was actually corrected.  

I cannot find clear evidence of there being a specific council or administrative decision to not repair or turn on the chime, but at the moment vacations and other priorities mean a thorough review won't happen right now. I'm not sure that it is even of much importance when you consider that it has been six years since anyone noticed even to the point of asking a question about it. 

Also, throughout this entire time council policy has clearly been to quiet down the town center area.  I for one would consider it odd if we were to now turn on a loud chime after having expended many thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of staff/council time to get a quiet zone at Town Center.

Clearly no decision, much less a possible "non-decision", has to be forever. Should the council wish to reconsider the current state of relative quiet at town center, the administration will of course work diligently to implement council directive. 

Best wishes,

Vern

> On Sat, Jul 23, 2016 at 2:04 PM, bob smith <sfmc68 at verizon.net> wrote:
> I am hoping someone from the town council or town offices can respond to
> this.
> 
> Someone mentioned, off list, that there may have been some folks who
> live close to the clock who may have objected to the chiming at night.
> Since they did not share that on the list, I will not relate the
> person's name.
> 
> I seem to recall that when the clock was delivered, there was a manual
> that came with it. The last I heard, said manual was turned over to Pat
> Prangley, maybe he reads this list and can respond.
> 
> I don't know the inner workings of the clock, but perhaps there is some
> information there in the manual that would address the chiming. If the
> chiming has been turned off, it would be nice to have someone claim
> responsibility for that action.
> 
> If the clock has not been maintained, perhaps someone in the town
> administration can explain why.
> 
> thanks
> bob smith
> 
> 
> On 7/22/16 10:33 AM, Audrey Bragg wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com>
> > To: sfmc68 <sfmc68 at verizon.net>
> > Sent: Fri, Jul 22, 2016 10:29 am
> > Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] question about town center clock.
> >
> > Hi Bob,  Thanks for mentioning this.  I have brought it to the attention
> > of my councilmember Alan Thompson and also councilman David Linguia.
> > David said he sent an email to public works about it.  I hope it gets
> > fixed soon.  It needs to be serviced and maintained and I have not seen
> > anyone do anything to it since the year 2000!  This is an expensive
> > piece of equipment and also a very nice work of art in our town and we
> > need to care for it.
> > Audrey Bragg
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: bob smith <sfmc68 at verizon.net <mailto:sfmc68 at verizon.net>>
> > To: towntalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> > Sent: Thu, Jul 21, 2016 8:26 pm
> > Subject: [RP TownTalk] question about town center clock.
> >
> > Does any one know why the town center clock does not seem to chime any
> > more? I have been by a number of times and just noticed I have not heard
> > it for a while.
> >
> > thanks
> > bob
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> 
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-- 
Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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