The Baker Memorial Fountain, which stands in front of the Tioga County Courthouse in the village of Owego, is in need of repairs.

According to Charles Lohmeyer, superintendent of public works, the cast iron and concrete fountain has a leak. The water bill for the last quarter of 1997 was $1,420, nearly triple a normal bill of about $500. About 1,078,000 gallons of water was used compared to a normal use of 10,000.

The leak is also causing the fountain to tip. Village workers will try to plug the leak by coating the fountain with $500 worth of sealer or installing a swimming pool liner, but that will not stop the fountain from tipping, which would cost about $20,000 to fix.

The fountain, which was unveiled on August 26, 1914, was presented to the Village of Owego by Frank M. Baker to honor his son George Hobart Baker who was killed in an auto accident in December 1913. Both men were Fire Chiefs.

Repair grants are currently being sought.