Entire Maine town compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only clerk in a small Maine town 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 about a month and a half ago. 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 town has had nobody to register automobiles, hold essential data, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, based on The Bangor Every day Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, in keeping with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days every week to just accept payments on things reminiscent of taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing 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 budget article meant to fund town operations after city officers failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The finances article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officers stated that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the 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 stated she often labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have now 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 in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the staff we have now, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a problem for certain.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.