West Milford - Volunteer: A person who performs a service willingly and without pay. And next to that definition just might be a photo of Doug Ott, but only if you take the photo when he’s not looking. Like most true volunteers, Ott is humble and a bit embarrassed by any attention his volunteering brings. Last week, Ott was presented the 2009 Mary B. Haase Lifetime Volunteer Award by the township. He quietly but proudly accepted a plaque from Mayor Bettina Bieri, with his family by his side. “It was an honor,” said Ott about the award, which is chosen by former mayors of West Milford. “It was nice to have my family there with me.” In a letter to the council, Ott’s daughter, Jennifer Metcalf shared her thoughts of her father. “When I learned that my father, Doug Ott, would be receiving the 2009 Mary B. Haase Lifetime Volunteer Award, I had multiple thoughts,” said Metcalf. “The first was what an honor,’ as there are many candidates who volunteer hours of time to the community. The second was what a great selection’ as I know that my father has made a lifetime commitment to this town.” After that, she thought, “what will he think?” because, she noted, he tends to keep a low profile and he rarely looks for the spotlight. But when you do so much for your hometown, sometimes the spotlight finds you. Ott has devoted himself to many community organizations and projects. He is a 30-year member of the Environmental Commission, but notes that there are many very dedicated, long-term volunteers there. He helped make West Milford’s Beautification Day an event. Ott is a member of the planning board, plays piano at St. Joseph’s church and teaches chess to kids through the township Community Services and Recreation Department. If that’s not enough, Ott serves as president of the library board of trustees and it is in that capacity that, if pushed, Ott admits has special meaning to him. “The fact that we’re hoping to move ahead with a new library has special meaning to me,” said Ott. “There are still a lot of ifs, a lot of concerns. But a new library is an exciting thing.” Metcalf recounts that her dad’s volunteering began a long time ago. She recalled days when her dad helped coordinate the Wilderness Runs through the trails of West Milford. Now she said, her children, Ott’s grandchildren, can point to the trails their grandpa helps maintain for the New Jersey Trail Conference. Yes, his grandchildren. Ott is proud of his family, his daughter and her husband, Tim, and their three children Sofia, Alex and Colette. And no surprise, they are volunteers too, involved with the Relay for Life, among other causes. Ott’s wife, Carolyn, too is known to donate some of her valuable time. Both she and her husband were busy last Wednesday preparing for the library book sale. “I’m really proud of that,” Ott said about his family’s commitment to the township. But there is no time for resting on his laurels. There’s a library to build, and reservoirs to keep clean. Ott is grateful for the award but adds there are so many volunteers throughout the town who give as much as he does. “Now that we’re retired, my wife and I have the time to give, and we continue to enjoy what we do,” said Ott. “I don’t do any of this to get noticed.” We know that. Everyone who knows Doug Ott knows that. And a very grateful community thanks him for all he does to make West Milford the special place it is.