Decisions in a democracy sometimes come slowly, sometimes late, sometimes not at all. But however they come, the process is a mix of obtuseness, confusion, wisdom, bias and just plain foolishness.

So we come to the future of Gorham’s great clock, which was removed for repair last year. As of this writing, the decision remains unsettled as to where this treasure, once refurbished, is to be relocated.

A bit of history is in order. In 1870, Toppan Robie, an elder of one of Gorham’s premier and generous families, reasoning it would not only complement village ambience but also serve a utilitarian purpose, gave the town this clock to be ensconced in the steeple of the First Parish Church, and title was vested in a body known as the Village Corporation – a body that provided such amenities as street lights and snow rolling to the more or less built-up portion of village itself. Through public donation, the corporation raised $500 to extend the steeple and install the clock, where it has blessed the town for a century and a half.

By virtue of age and origin, this timepiece became valuable, and last year the Gorham Town Council appropriated funds to repair the wear and tear of so many years of Maine winters. Assuming, as many familiar with the timepiece surely did, that the clock would remain in its long-time home, the council failed to specify any location upon return. Thus was triggered a decision-making process that has meandered along ever since.

First off the mark was Pheromone Phatley with a suggestion that it not be in the church. Since Phero didn’t specify an alternate location, though denied, there was some implication of separation of church and state. Close behind Mr. Phatley came Bertha Baroney, who wanted the clock placed in the new municipal center. Since the municipal center has no tower, presumably the clock was to be placed in the lobby where passersby could admire its workings.

Grace Gatling designed a heated glass case and pedestal to place the clock in front of the Robie Gym (another Gorham gift from the Robie family), while Bradley Bungle and Dora Detox thought the artifact should be sold at auction with the funds earmarked for another town policeman to fight the drug war.

All suggestions for new locations were clouded by the means – and cost – to connect the clockworks with the four clock faces. To whom do these highly visible appurtenances belong and, if relocated, how to connect them with the workings that give them life? Or, as some suggestions implied, never mind the clock face, just display the machinery.

By this time, those who had assumed return of the clock to its old home had become concerned. First, they offered a compromise. Keep it in the church, but in the vestry, where viewers would be exposed to only a minimum of ecclesiastical goings-on. But that proposal brought internal disputation. Those who loved the classic craftsmanship with which the vestry paneling was endowed were aghast at remodeling.

Then, finally, fresh from their musty research, came historians – most maintaining that tradition has value, and preferring the old location. Elderly Mr. Phineas Phaeton recalled town budgets of yore in which town meetings annually voted $2 weekly for Leon Randall to wind the clock. Mr. P. supplemented his comments with praise for Leon’s service on the volunteer fire department and the high quality of the beverage Leon traditionally created for other members of that popular group.

Miss Florence Fleetwood, a retired school teacher of uncertain years who matriculated at Gorham Normal School, remembered fondly her view of the clock each day of her girlhood as she made her way to class. She joined Phineas in defense of the status quo.

So far unsaid, or a least little observed, are the views of those in the front lines of clock decisions long ago. How would those noble souls lean? As far as the donor is concerned, there can be no doubt that Mr. Robie gave the clock to be located in the steeple because of its visibility. Likely sharing the principles of the founding fathers, who were largely deists, it is quite doubtful that he considered sectarianism to be a problem.

Beyond Mr Robie, there seems little doubt concerning the desires of the town citizens, who spoke with their donations through the Village Corporation. Those thrifty Maniacs contributed a sum equal to the annual salaries of two school teachers in order to see the clock high in the sky as they lived their daily lives.

While these citizens have been departed far too long to consider turning over in their graves, the spirits of Toppan and the villagers seem likely to be saddened to find this clock anywhere other than its original home.

Rodney S. Quinn is a Gorham resident, author and former secretary of state.