It’s a story often heard: Progress on Center School’s Seth Thomas Clock is slowly moving along despite limited funds. Around $45,000 still needs to be raised although the restoration has already started.

Resident Ray Andrews, who has been leading the efforts, approached the Mattapoisett Schools Committee Monday night to give an update on the next step, which involves clearing a space in the office below the clock tower to place the mechanism in an enclosure and install a pulley system.

The committee OK’d the renovation for which Andrews now will take bids.

Little work needs to be done in terms of renovation, Andrews said. The size of the room is fine, but a chute in the southeast corner will be removed to accommodate the pulley system. Holes in the ceiling must also be made to accommodate the “bell strike” mechanism as well.

This work adds to the $45,000 remaining to a contract with Balzer Family Clock Works. Andrews did not say how much he expected the cost to be.

Balzer Family Clock Works removed the timepiece and dials for a complete restoration at the beginning of December.

“Over the course of 30 years, the lack of maintenance has to the clock to deteriorate significantly,” Andrews said. “The weight of the dials—which are brass—and the bell strike mechanism are heavier than intended for the piece. All of the gears are chewed up, with some missing teeth completely.”

Andrews said the dials should be made of redwood lumber, which Balzer will do.

The clock is also up for $51,500 in Community Preservation Act funds, which can be approved or denied at spring’s Town Meeting.

Until then, $12,000 needs to be raised by March 1 for the next payment of the work.

So, what happens if Andrews can’t come up with the money? Failure, he said, is not an option.

“I like to think optimistically. The money will be raised.”

Committe Chair Grace Knox said Andrews should take the group on a tour of the work space after a contractor has been found.

In other business:

Members of the committee were given drafts of the 2013 budget, which Superintendent Doug White said increases $104,067 or 1.83 percent. This change follows a retirement and absence of a teaching position.

“This is only a first draft,” White said. “In February, we can be very detailed in all aspects of the budget. We wanted to give a start. We will be in good shape.”

The district is also applying for a $500,000 innovation grant for technology services, which could be used for the hiring of a district technology director.