But when workmen started the repairs this month, they discovered that the wood holding "Nancy," the town clock, was "very water-soaked" and decayed, according to Dexter Town Manager Judy Doore.

"We knew that the clock tower and the entire roof needed to be repaired because we have some leakage; however, we didn't realize the extent of the deterioration of the base of the clock," Doore said Friday.

Because of the decay to the base of the clock, which was installed in 1925, it appears the roof over the Morrison building will have to be done in stages, Doore said Friday.

Doore said the timber under the base and around the face of the clock was completely decayed. She said town officials will not know the total cost until the damage is repaired. That work by Webber Construction of Ripley is estimated to be done in about two weeks, she said.

The council can then decide whether to appropriate funds from a reserve account to finish the entire roof project or just do a portion of the project, Doore said.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Sunday, September 10, 2006 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."