SARATOGA SPRINGS — A historic fountain that was vandalized earlier this year has returned to its home in Congress Park after receiving over $11,000 worth of repairs.
The Morrissey Fountain, which dates to 1870, has been vandalized three times in the past several years – in 2013, 2018 and again in May.
City of Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works employees began repairing the fountain after it was knocked over around 2:30 a.m. on May 15.
“DPW cares for our historic landmarks and when vandalism occurs, the team works tirelessly to repair any damage so that these treasures can be enjoyed,” said Jason Golub, the DPW Commissioner. “I want to credit the DPW work force who took great care in repairing and installing the Morrissey Fountain back in Congress Park.”
According to a Tuesday email from DPW Business Manager Michael Veitch, welding ended up constituting the majority of the repairs’ cost.
“Additional repair work included sandblasting, priming and painting the fountain and pool, along with installing the fountain and setting up the internal plumbing,” Veitch said. “Options for reinforcing the fountain and protecting these features of the park are constantly under review by DPW, Public Safety, and the Risk and Safety Director.”
Golub said that a steel rod was placed in the fountain to better stabilize it and make it more difficult to knock over.
No arrests have been made in connection with the vandalism and the case into who damaged the fountain continues, said Sgt. Paul Veitch, the public information officer for the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
“For prevention, the overnight patrol shifts routinely patrol the area of Congress Park during the hours that it is closed to the public. Unfortunately, this park is not locked with a perimeter fence and pedestrians can still enter during the closed hours,” he said.
He added that there are security cameras in the park, including some that do cover the fountains and other statues in the area.
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