BROCTON - No longer are the dimmed lights of the Brocton Arch hanging above the town's intersection. Electric lineman Joe Majkowski and village crews put in an extra early day to dismantle the electrical components in the arch, and remove the familiar "Brocton" sign from the arch's halo.
Removed in order to prepare the arch for its major makeover - set to debut for the 2013 Town of Portland Bicentennial, - the sign is in safe storage. A piece of the arch's halo was fitted with working, lighted parts and can be viewed at the Village of Brocton Clerk's Office, as well as the Brocton/Portland Historical Museum.
With Majkowski's work done ahead of schedule, the hollow structure lies in wait for the upcoming bid opening, on Aug. 27 when final numbers will be revealed and a more accurate price tag can be put on the project.
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Submitted photo
Village of Brocton Electric Lineman Joe Majkowski scaled a bucket truck to begin the first manual task of the four-corner arch makeover. All electrical components were removed from the arch and the “Brocton” sign was taken down until it will be placed back upon a newly refurbished arch. It is hoped the arch will be finished in time to mark the 2013 Bicentennial Celebration of the Town of Portland.
Those attending Brocton's village board monthly meeting were able to see lights aglow on the piece of the structure for the first time in years.
Brocton's Mayor, Dave Hazelton quipped, "Now when someone has a bright idea at one of these meetings, we can flip on the light bulbs."
With sincerity, Mayor Hazelton thanked Olive Becker and the Becker Family; Butch Morehouse; Gary and Robin Woodbury; and Tony and Cindy Sobczak for their kind and generous donations toward the arch refurbishment project and noted he looks forward to the upcoming bid opening.
Village Clerk, Karen Ardillo, who was also on hand in the wee hours of the morning for the dismantling of the electric to take photos, noted that the removal of the electrical conduit, the sign and halo were all considered part of the village's portion of in-kind services that is being counted toward the project.
