JAY — The Maine Water Environment Association recognized Mark Holt, superintendent of the Jay Sewer Department, with the Charles Perry Award for his years of dedication to the town’s department and his work to improve its collection systems.

Holt of Livermore has been superintendent of the Jay department for nearly 24 years. He received the award Sept. 18 during the association’s fall conference at Sunday River in Newry.

“Mark Holt received this year’s award for his years of dedication to the town of Jay Sewer Department,” Matthew Bodwell, chairman of the Collection Systems Committee, said.

He is on schedule to replace nearly 100 percent of the entire sewer infrastructure since he started working for the town, he said.

“This is a major feat considering he is one of only two operators for the entire department, and the geography makes the work especially challenging,” Bodwell said. “While doing this, he has also implemented a very proactive maintenance schedule for the existing sewer, using many innovative solutions.”

In Holt’s spare time he has also been active within the association, both with committee work and supporting legislation affecting the wastewater community as a whole, he said.

“It should also be noted that we received two independent nominations for Mark Holt, a rarity and something that I have not seen during my tenure,” Bodwell said.

The Charles Perry Award is given to recognize the outstanding efforts of the collection systems’ personnel for the excellence in management, operations and maintenance of that collection system.

While all facilities strive for compliance, this award recognizes the extra effort and originality that is put forth in the operations of a wastewater collection system to reduce the environmental impact on that community.

The Collections Systems Committee receives nominations throughout the year for operators, communities and associations that go above and beyond the expectation for wastewater collection systems, Bodwell said.

“Typically this would be someone who works for a municipality sewer collection system who is an example of doing more than just the job description, either through hard work and dedication, or through creative and unusual applications within the collection system,” he said. “Charles Perry, for whom the award is named, worked for the city of Portland for years maintaining and upgrading their sewer collection system.”

“It is really an honor for Mark to get this award,” Shiloh LaFreniere, Jay town manager, told selectpersons Monday.

Holt said the town’s Public Works crew, the community, the town manager and selectpersons have made the work possible with their support.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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