igh in the clock tower of the old Weatherly High School, there are 50 years’ worth of autographs from graduates — everything from neat lists of basketball teams from the ’50s, to flamboyant painted names from the ’70s.

Before the school closed more than 20 years ago, and the clock stopped for good, students observed the tradition of marking their name and graduation year in the tower.

With a new project to resurrect the clock tower, there were rumors that the names would be painted over so the clock faces would shine brighter.

But officials have ruled out painting over the names.

“The painting of the walls will have nothing to do with clock lighting at all. Nobody was in favor of that,” said Charlie Palermo, president of the Charles M. Schwab School Restoration Project Committee.

A local company, Bradford Clock, recently started the process of restoring the clock mechanism to get it up and running. Palmero provided an update on the work during a council meeting on Monday.

Like when the borough purchased the school last year, the clock restoration is being funded entirely by donations.

Bradford Clock is donating all of the labor, and the restoration project will pay for parts.

Mayor Tom Connors said it was initially suggested that the clock tower be painted entirely white on the inside so the illuminated clock faces would show better. But Palermo said the new clock will be lit by LEDs, meaning there won’t be a need to paint the inside of the tower.

Work on the clock was originally supposed to be wrapped up by Memorial Day.

With some slight delays, they are now looking at Independence Day.

The clock will be lit from inside and Bradford will program the bell to ring between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Palermo, who recently climbed the 100-plus steps to the tower with a film crew which is documenting the restoration, said it is in remarkably good shape.

“The interesting part was to see the names. My own class, 1978, was pretty well represented. we found names going back to the ’30s,” Palermo said.

He said there were plenty of other good citizens of Weatherly represented. Councilman Harold Farrow said his name was among those that could be found in the tower.

Joining Palermo on the tour was Dan Humenick, the president of Bradford Clock. Palermo said he was impressed by their knowledge of the inner workings of the clock.

While the clock is being restored, workers from another local business, Dawn’s Vinyl Designs, will replace the clock faces with new, vinyl faces.

“Everything is full steam ahead on the clock,” Palermo said.

The restoration project has several other projects planned at the school, all of which council approved at Monday’s meeting.

A spotlight will be erected outside the front of the school to light up the entrance.

Windows on the ground floor of the school, which were boarded over while a bank owned the building, will be revealed. Four broken windows on the second floor front of the school will also be replaced.

“I think it’ll add a little life to it, a little enthusiasm,” Councilman Joseph Cyburt said.

As they plan more projects to restore the school, Palmero’s committee is hoping that the clock tower will serve as a prominent advertisement for their effort. And the names of generations of Weatherly residents will remain inside.

“If there’s ever a chance to go up there, and I know we’re not taking tours, go up there. It’s something to see, and the names are just historical,” Palermo said.

The Schwab school restoration committee is planning a festival for July 28 in Eurana Park. For more information, check out the group’s Facebook page.