TIFFIN -- The main part of Seneca County's 1884 courthouse that's still standing -- the clock tower -- may not come down until next week because of a jury trial scheduled in the courthouse annex next door.

County Administrator Stacy Wilson said she received a call Tuesday from Seneca County Common Pleas Judge Steve Shuff about the planned demolition of the tower on Thursday.

"He is extremely upset," she wrote in an email to Brian Baumann, president of B&B Wrecking and Excavating, and John Meegan, an architect with MKC Associates, which is overseeing the demolition project. "He has a large jury trial scheduled Thursday and Friday. He indicated that he will not have the demolition of the clock tower going on during this trial. If he has to, he will get a court order to stop the demolition."

GALLERY: Seneca County Courthouse demolition: Jan. 24

Although delays to the project "potentially" could cost the county more than the $373,000 demolition contract it has with B&B, Ms. Wilson said Mr. Baumann has agreed to wait until next week to do the tower demolition.

Mr. Baumann said the firm's crane still has not been repaired so it won't be a major problem to delay taking the tower down. His crew will continue tearing down the remaining wall of the courthouse and loading scrap metal, tree debris, and sandstone to be trucked off site.

Judge Shuff could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Ms. Wilson said this is not the first time he has requested limits on outside activity when court is in session.

He has asked the county maintenance department in the past to refrain from mowing grass and other types of activities when a trial is under way, she said.

Odia Halcomb, Jr., 23, of Tiffin is to go on trial Thursday for aggravated burglary, felonious assault, and assault in Judge Shuff's courtroom. The trial is scheduled for two days.

Although this week's delay should not cost the county extra money, a B&B representative sent an email to Mr. Meegan Tuesday asking that the firm be notified in advance of "future accommodations of the county's court schedule."

Nik Filippi of B&B said further that if the wrecking firm pushes "more disruptive activities" to the weekends, it would cost the county an additional $2,750 a day.

That figure would cover overtime costs. .

Mr. Filippi also said the firm would like to request a 30-day extension to its original 60-day contract with county commissioners to complete the courthouse demolition.

"This extension would take into consideration the year-end holiday, the unexpected breakdown of our crane, and any weather related delays that may lie ahead," he wrote.

Ms. Wilson said commissioners have not yet received a formal request for a contract extension but have indicated they would not be opposed to granting one.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-724-6129.