Lange back as road-job consultant in Bedford Township

2/24/2009
BY MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

TEMPERANCE Nearly five months after leaving the road commission, Ralph Lange is returning to Monroe County to become a consultant to Bedford Township on road-related projects.

The township board last week agreed to hire Mr. Lange to assist in forming a realistic and cost effective five-year road improvement and maintenance master plan for the township.

Mr. Lange was managing director of the Monroe County Road Commission until last August, when he resigned in the downsizing and reorganization of the financially troubled agency.

Township officials agreed to hire Mr. Lange at $45 an hour, limiting the amount he could be paid through this fall to $8,000.

Mr. Lange is currently director of the Henry County Improvement Corp. He joined the economic development agency in October.

A five-year master plan is a good idea. The township is looking for some help. I think I can offer some services to them, he said.

Before joining the road commission in 1999, he was administrator of Oregon in suburban Toledo.

Bedford Township will rely on the expertise that Mr. Lange accumulated during his 10 years as director of the road commission. Among his duties as consultant will be applying and securing grant funds for road infrastructure improvements, said township Clerk Bob Schockman.

The ordinance approved by the board calls for the consulting work to include a town meeting in the fall to address residents concerns and learn what they would want included in the master plan.

Mr. Lange said he will use his experience with the agency to guide the township in addressing deficiencies in the roads. He said other townships in Monroe County have been moving in the direction of acquiring expert advice to address road issues and assembling master plans.

In other action, the township board recognized Detective Sgt. Tom Redmond and Maj. Dale Malone for service in the township.

The Monroe County Sheriff s Office deputies were recently promoted to other duties after being based out of the township substation. Sgt. Redmond, who is now the department s training officer, and Major Malone were given plaques.

Both of them have done excellent work, said Mr. Schockman.