Entire Maine city compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

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 ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in response to The Bangor Every day Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors until further discover, in accordance with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on things akin to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a finances article meant to fund city operations after city officers did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The finances article additionally didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine legislation.

Town officers said that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It's also as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she said she typically labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do imagine in time with the team we've, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, however it should take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.