With clock not working, time has stopped in Fox Chase

Time has stopped in Fox Chase. The village clock located in Lions Park went dark and stopped working in November. A local landmark, it is a source of pride in Fox Chase.

The clock was installed in April 2008 by manufacturers The Verdin Company, and cost $20,000. So why is the clock not working?

It seems there is a mechanical problem that caused the light to go out and the hands on the four faces of the clock to stop. Verdin did send out a repairman, yet the clock still doesn’t work.

“We are looking into having a fundraiser to come up with the funds to repair the clock,” said former Lions Club President Tom Dunleavy. He estimates repairs will cost $6,00. The Lions could also apply for a Department of Community and Economic Development grant, but with state funding for community projects hard to come by during the tough economy, that application could be a long shot.

Verdin has been in business for 170 years and has installed street clocks similar to the Fox Chase clock all over the United States. Jeanne Caldwell, product manger for The Verdin Clock Company, said the Fox Chase Clock was purchased in 2004 and the warranty expired in 2007 before the clock was installed in Lions Park. Caldwell said there are two different estimates to repair the clock.

“The current movement is a synchronistic movement,” she said. “The cost to install new parts and effect repairs would be $4,700. To upgrade to a pulse movement would cost $5,760.”

Caldwell said the three-year warranty began at the time of purchase, not at the time of installation – roughly three years after it was purchased. “We haven’t had similar problems with street clocks. It is possible the time in storage and non use affected the clock.”

“We are working with the local business association and Kiwanis and have contacted State Rep. Kevin Boyle in an effort to raise funds to repair the clock and are hopeful to have it repaired soon.” Lions Club Vice President Angelo Sciarra said. “Once the clock is repaired I have already agreed to extended warranty coverage to avoid this type of problem in the future.”

G.E. Reutter resides in the Fox Chase. You can visit him at his website. You can read his Fox Chase articles for NEast Philly here.