FARMINGTON – Former construction company owner Greg Roux isn’t entering retirement; rather, he’s taking a step back to enjoy life more but still keep working.

Franklin County commissioners voted to hire Roux, 51, of Farmington, as custodian overseeing maintenance of the historic county courthouse and its grounds. Roux plans to start within two weeks at a salary of $10.98 an hour.

Roux started Farmington Construction Co., he said Wednesday, and owned and operated it for the past 30 years. He sold it to his son, Nicholas, 27, who has worked for him for six to seven years. His son has also run the office for the past two years, he said.

The goal all along was to pass something along, Roux said.

“It was time for me to do it,” he said.

County Clerk Julie Magoon told commissioners during their meeting Tuesday that about 20 applications were received for the position left vacant after Eric Hinkley resigned last fall.

Magoon said she, Emergency Management Director Tim Hardy and Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Charisse Keach interviewed about six candidates Monday with one who stood out among the rest.

Roux also has owned property and managed it over the years and still does, he said.

“I also have an electrician helper’s license and a plumber’s helper’s license,” Roux said.

He has been a firefighter for nearly 15 years and serves on the Farmington Fire Rescue Department and has gone through training there that includes hazardous material handling and the National Incident Management System.

Roux has also managed a crew and worked with subcontractors on jobs, which will be helpful when the county needs to hire someone to come in and do work, he said.

“This is something different to do,” Roux said of becoming a custodian.

“It’s less everything, including stress. Now I have one building to take care of instead of 15 or so customers.”