Total Maine city pressured to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 about a 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, preserve essential data, or talk 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 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in response to The Bangor Every day News.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person visitors until further discover, in keeping with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days every week to simply accept funds on issues comparable to taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the office 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 funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after town officers did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The funds article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

Town officers mentioned that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she usually worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“We have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the team now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.