County leader will retire, then return

(Editor’s note: This article was updated from an earlier version.)

ALBION – A fourth county department head is retiring, only to return to a management role on a part-time basis.

Craig Lape, the county’s weights and measures director, also manages the fuel farm on West Academy Street. After Lape retires on Dec. 31, the fuel farm duties will be shifted to a secretary in the highway department, whose weekly hours will increase from 35 to 40.

Lape will continue as weights and measures director. He visits stores, markets, warehouses, wholesale houses, gas stations and other businesses to test and verify the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices. The position ensures accuracy in meat, produce and platform scales.

County Legislature Chairman David Callard said the county is fortunate Lape is staying on in the position, at a reduced cost to the county.

He is the fourth department head to reach retirement, and then agree to stay on in a part-time basis.

Wayne Hale retired as planning and tourism director, but has stayed on in a part-time role in the positions. Pam Canham also retired as Office for the Aging director, but continued with the department as an assistant director. Carol Miller also serves as part-time director for job development after she retired from a full-time role in the position.

“Their experience is invaluable,” Callard said. “They’re working at a reduced cost to the county, and we’re still able to deliver the service.”

The part-time retired directors receive their state pensions. They can not earn more than $30,000 in their part-time roles if they want to receive their full pension, according to state comptroller rules, county officials said.