Total Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

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 a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register vehicles, preserve essential records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Every day Information.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional discover, in accordance with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days every week to simply accept payments on issues resembling taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business 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. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

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

City officials stated that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts attributable to financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she said she usually labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our town back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the group we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.