Whole Maine city compelled to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register autos, maintain essential data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person guests till further notice, in accordance with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days every week to accept funds on issues corresponding to taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the city will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The finances article also didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

Town officers said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. It is usually as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she mentioned she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the crew we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, but it would take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out basic governmental duties. It contains getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.