SHELBY — John Ensman is ready to enjoy retirement.
But the Shelby director of utilities isn’t quite ready to give up the role he’s served since March of 2012.
On Monday, Shelby City Council accepted Ensman’s forthcoming retirement — submitted for purposes of initiating earned retirement benefits, effective as of the end of the work day Dec. 31.
The process is contingent upon approval by City Council to rehire Ensman and consider retaining his services as director of utilities and deputy director of public service.
Ensman’s intended reemployment date is Jan. 3, 2025. There will be a special public meeting to conduct discussion of his re-employment Dec. 9 in the Shelby Justice Center, 29 Mack Ave., at 6 p.m.
Ensman would be ‘hard to replace’
Ensman said Monday he’ll establish his retirement, effective Dec. 31, with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
He intends to be back in his current position just three days into the upcoming year.
Several councilmembers expressed gratitude for Ensman’s dedication to Shelby and excitement regarding his decision to stick around.
“He (Ensman) is well-versed in what he does,” said 3rd Ward Councilman Eric Cutlip. “He’d be hard to replace and I’m glad to see that he’s going to continue to serve the City of Shelby as good as he has for all these years.”
Fourth Ward Councilman Nathan Martin said the utilities director is the “gem” of the department.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God that we have him in our city working for us and with us,” he said.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said the mood among City Council on Monday would have been dramatically different had the term “reemployment” not been included in the legislation.
“We’re happy for you,” he told Ensman. “You deserve everything of the retirement — worked hard from the ground up.”
At-large Councilman Steven McLaughlin echoed similar sentiments.
City Council approves MARCS grant application
Also on Monday, City Council authorized an application to be submitted for the fiscal year 2025 Multi-Agency Radio Communications System grant from the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal.
The grant would assist the Shelby Fire Department with MARCS radio equipment fees.
Shelby Fire Chief Mike Thompson said the department has applied for the grant for several years.
“It just covers about half of our MARCS radio fees,” he said. “It comes pretty close to 50 percent.
“It’s no guarantee, but it’s a shot. It’s a reimbursement grant.”
In other action Monday, City Council:
— voted against approving the Clark Avenue Roadway as a local landmark at this time per Ordinance 1488.07.
— postponed the third reading of Ordinance 21-2024, regarding a minimum lot width requirement, to Nov. 18.
— assigned the City of Shelby’s interest in the Greenup Power Sales Contract and the Meldahl Power Sales Contract with American Municipal Power, Inc. to the City of St. Mary’s, Ohio and taking other actions in connection therewith.
(Below is a PDF showing the agenda from Shelby City Council’s regular meeting Monday.)