More details of a plan by the chamber of commerce to provide permanent lighting for the Roslyn Clock Tower were given at the November board of trustees meeting.

Chamber of Commerce President Frederic Carlton said he has contacted both a lighting and an electrical contractor to help complete the project. In addition, John Collins, president of the Roslyn Landmark Society, has drafted drawings of what the final product would look like.

In all, the chamber hopes to plant 14 below-ground lighting structures in the grassy area around the clock tower. There may also be a light for the flagpole that stands next to the tower. After assessing the height of the tower, chamber officials decided below grade lighting would be preferable to above ground lights. The below ground lights would be 12 inches in diameter and set 18 inches in the ground all in a 14-inch strip of grass.

Naturally, the cost of such lighting is an issue. The lights, chamber officials said, would be on 10 hours each night. But the village would incur their cost. No specifics have yet been given on what the monthly bill might be. Toward that end, Mayor John Durkin said he would like to see more details of the plan before the BOT gives its final approval.

Chamber officials had hoped the lights would be in place before Christmas Day rolls around. Mayor Durkin expressed a similar desire. Still, he said a committee was needed for such issues was what would constitute a proper light wattage for the project, something that would influence the costs to the village. Mr. Carlton said he thought a 175-wattage per light might be appropriate, but studies would be done to make sure the lights don't shine too brightly.

Mr. Carlton first broached the idea to light the clock tower after the most recent street fair, held on Oct. 21. That fair, which is sponsored by both the village and the Chamber of Commerce, attracted in the vicinity of 9,000 to 10,000 people to downtown Roslyn. Mr. Carlton said the proceeds of that fair would go toward constructing permanent clock tower lighting.

In addition to meeting with lighting and electrical contractors, the chamber, Mr. Carlton added, had already contacted the architectural firm of Matthew Korn to get their people involved in designing such a structure. "The monument is the center of Roslyn," Mr. Carlton said in a recent interview. "Now it will be lighted on a permanent basis. All proceeds from all the fairs will be used for this project." Mr. Carlton has also told the BOT that the chamber plans to hold its spring antique fair in the village on Sunday, May 5, 2002, with a May 18 raindate.