Entire Maine town forced to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

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

Christen Bouchard was the city 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 nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register automobiles, maintain essential data, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, according to The Bangor Each day News.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors until additional discover, according to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days every week to just accept payments on issues comparable to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

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

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

City officials mentioned that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is usually as a result of city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she often labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the crew we have, we will get Passadumkeag back in order and looking good, but it's going to take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental duties. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.