(Edited June 16)
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will again sound the entire Westminster chime by autumn. The board of supervisors agreed Monday to spend $32,650 to replace the strikers on the five bells and to install a high voltage DC system on them to replace the malfunctioning AC coils.
County engineer Wade Weiss told the supervisors he has had “great conversation” with the Verdin Company, manufacturer of the bells, in the the past week.
Verdin in 2014 submitted a proposal for $244,000 in maintenance and enhancements to the tower, including putting a new structure on the top of the tower that would accommodate a complete 48-bell carillon. The high price tag put most of the project “on hold.”
Verdin was able to break down costs from the 2014 proposal: $32,650 to replace the strikers on the five bells needed for the Westminster chime; an additional $36,340 to replace the strikers on the other nine bells already hanging at the top of the tower; and $148,500 for the new support structure and to hang the 15 bells paid for but on display in the south assembly room of the courthouse.
County auditor Jane Heun confirmed that the county has funds for the first five strikers if payment can be split between the current fiscal year (which ends June 30) and the next fiscal year. Tim Verdin told Weiss that would be acceptable.
The Westminster chimes heard from the tower in the past couple of years have been recorded; the actual bells have not been used because the strikers on the two largest bells don’t work. Most residents don’t hear a difference, but it became apparent last summer that it was the ringing of the bells that kept turkey vultures from roosting at the top of the tower. The return of the unwelcome birds last month was a motivator to do the necessary maintenance on the bells.
“They’re up there. They’ve got to work,” supervisor Tom Contner said about the bells.
Per the agreement before the bell tower was built 50 years ago, the county is responsible for the maintenance of the tower.
The Bell Tower Foundation was formed in 1991 to raise funds for enhancements, with a goal of eventually completing the carillon and creating an endowment to fund musicians to play it. Carole Custer is president of the Foundation. Supervisor Guy Richardson represents the county on the board.
Custer said replacing the strikers is “a logical step,” and that the Foundation is “working to make the Tower the best it can be for its 50th anniversary.” Renovating the ground level space is already in progress.
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower was dedicated in October 1966.
