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Tuesday’s meeting of the Morristown City Council also served as a celebration of a longstanding civic organization.

Rotary Club of Morristown marked its 100th year in 2022 and in conjunction with that anniversary, embarked on a fundraising effort for a project that will serve the community for years into the future.

The club raised $150,000 for the Morristown Landing Splash Pad, set to open this summer.

Rotarians presented the final installment of the club’s pledge toward the project cost, $70,000, to Council members at the meeting.

“The Rotary Club of Morristown has had the opportunity to partner with the city on multiple projects over the years, and so we were very excited to again partner with the city on Morristown Landing and the new splash pad,” Rotary Service Committee Chairman Gordon Lintz said. “We had been looking for a sizeable project that would appropriately commemorate the 100 years of Rotary Club in Morristown and we felt that this was the perfect project.

“We embarked on a journey, starting two years ago, to raise $150,000 towards this project and we’re very excited to have made our final payment. We congratulate the city on an amazing new center, and we appreciate the opportunity to have been a partner in the splash pad component, and we know this is going to be a significant asset to the community,” Lintz said.

In the absence of Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney, council members approved the gavel to be passed to Kay Senter for the evening’s proceedings. She accepted the Rotary payment on behalf of Council.

“It’s not every day you get to hold onto a check for $70, 000,” Senter said. “We are really pleased and we are honored that the Rotary Club is such a partner for the city. Not only are they doing the splash pad, which will be free to every kid that comes to the Landing – it’s going to be the entrance to the Landing, so as they can stop there and dance around the Rotary insignia that will be there in the middle of that and this will something that will be there for years to come – they also helped us with the disc golf course at Frank Lorino Park and the splash pad at Fred Miller Park.

“Rotary overall is 118 years old and Morristown started 100 years ago, so you are always on the ball,” Senter added.

City Administrator Tony Cox offered a word of thanks during his comments portion of the Council meeting.

“We’re certainly grateful that Rotary is such a great partner for Morristown. They have done an outstanding job. Every time we have a need they are there, stepping up to lend a hand. It certainly is appreciated and it makes a much better community for everyone who lives here.”

According to a press release issued by the city, early in the planning process of Morristown Landing, the Rotary Club expressed their interest in donating a significant amount towards the creation of the new feature.

The splash pad sits right outside the entrance to the facility, offering warm-weather recreation, free to the public.

“It shows what can happen when people come together for the common good,” the press release said.

“The Morristown Rotary Club has long been a proud supporter of Morristown parks. Their donations have supported the creation of the disc golf course at Frank Lorino Park along with the splash pad and playground at Fred Miller Park.

“The City has enjoyed this partnership and looks forward to a continued relationship with the members of the Rotary.”