By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Department of Public Works has a new work of art at its North and Grandview streets entrance. Department officials unveiled The Rock, created by employee Scott Baker.
The Rock has the city’s logo, along with that of the department. On the side it has the initials BAT (Bruce A. Therrien), who worked at Claremont Department of Public Works for 45 years.
Baker works at the Water Department and said it was a flat rock with sides he found while in the city’s pit.
“I went down, found a flat stone, dragged it out, and started working on it,” he said. “It took me hours and hours to make. I’d work on it for a couple of hours each night after work and when it was nice outside.”
He started with a grinder, cut the stone into squares, chipped them off with a coal chisel and knocked the bigger pieces off.
“Then, I’ll work around the lettering with a rotary tool or grinder until I get it as fine as they need to be,” he said. “I wanted it (the letters) to stand up and make it easier to paint. Anybody can paint over it rather than paint into it.”
He started with the Claremont symbol and put “Public Works” to save on lettering.
“The backhoe made sense because everyone can relate to the roadwork and equipment,” he said. “I put a hydrant on there for the Utilities Department.”
Baker brought the idea to Public Works Director Alex Gleeson, who told him to put his concept to paper.
“Everybody supports it and comes out and looks at it once in a while,’ Baker said.
He started carving when he was 15 and said his father was a carpenter and maintenance man at PathWays. His grandfather was a woodworker, and his grandmother also did crafts.
Baker also created plaques for people who retired.
“If someone asks me to do a plaque because someone is retiring, I say of course,” Baker said.
Gleeson called the new sign a big deal.
“I know he’s an artist and a talented guy,” he said. “When he asked permission to start carving the stone after work, I said absolutely. He’s a big part of the team and showcases his work and time for all the guys.”
He said the old Department of Public Works sign needs a new plan.
“I’m not quite sure about it yet, but we need to keep some of the signage up,” he said. “We may need to do a little remodeling, but the stone is not moving.”
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