Troy hires new wastewater treatment plant manager

By Charles Bolinger

Editor • Josh D. Holtmann will be Troy’s newest manager of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. He was unanimously approved for the position during the city council’s Dec. 15 meeting.

He will replace Ray Bailey, who will retire on Jan. 31, after 31 years with the city. Holtmann attended the meeting while Public Works Director Rob Hancock read aloud Holtmann’s background for the mayor and council.

“He started with us many years ago as an intern with the environmental resources training center (ERTC) (at SIUE-Edwardsville), where all of the operators go for their training,” Hancock said. “He’s been an employee with us since 2011. Almost all of that time [working] at the wastewater plant but he has also cross-trained at the water plant.

“He’s been involved in several of the operator organizations in the area,” he continued. “Currently, he’s the executive director of the Mississippi-Kaskaskia Valley Water Pollution Control Operators Association, or MIS-KA.”

Hancock said Holtmann has been nominated for Outstanding Operator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators (IAWPCO). Awards will be presented at an IAWPCO meeting in March.