Lewis to OK roads chief

LOWVILLE — Lewis County legislators are expected to remove their highway and solid waste chief's interim tag this week.

Legislators at Tuesday's organizational meeting are slated to vote on a resolution to appoint Joseph C. "Chuck" Langs, Harrisville, to a four-year term as superintendent of highways and solid waste management. The resolution sets the 2010 salary for the position at $65,000.

Mr. Langs has served as interim superintendent since July. He replaced Thomas M. Sweet, who retired at the end of June after nearly 12 years at the post.

The legislative Transportation and Solid Waste Committee recently selected Mr. Langs from a pool of six applicants, according to committee Chairman Philip C. Hathway, R-Harrisville.

"I think we felt like there was less of a learning curve with Chuck," Mr. Hathway said.

The committee invited four of the applicants to interview, but one ultimately withdrew his name, he said.

"We had three very good candidates," Mr. Hathway said, noting that all of them are area residents. "Any one of them would have been an excellent choice."

However, Mr. Langs' experience in dealing with engineers and state officials ultimately gave him the edge, he said.

"He understands the myriad of paperwork that's required," Mr. Hathway said.

Mr. Langs has worked in the county Highway Department for more than 20 years, serving as deputy highway superintendent under Mr. Sweet and his predecessor, Gary F. Buckingham, for a large portion of that time, he said.

He and other Highway Department employees have been very responsive to the legislative committee's goal of developing a five-year plan for road maintenance, Mr. Hathway said.

Mr. Langs also serves on the Harrisville Central School District Board and, in November, was elected to a seat on the Diana Town Council.