Entire Maine city forced to shut after its solely 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 couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was accessible to step in for her.

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

The position of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Each day News.

The city workplace shut down to in-person visitors till additional discover, in keeping with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days every week to accept funds on things comparable to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any enterprise here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other duties 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, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The funds article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

City officers mentioned that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she often worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've got been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the team we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it would take a bit and is going to be a problem for sure.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental responsibilities. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.