Entire Maine town compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 trip a couple of 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 town has had nobody to register vehicles, hold essential records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day Information.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person visitors until further discover, in accordance with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days every week to just accept funds on things resembling taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the office earlier than 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 office to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The price range article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

Town officials stated that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts resulting from monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she mentioned she often worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

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

“I do consider in time with the team we now have, we will get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, however it is going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.