Complete Maine town forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a couple of month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

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

The place of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Daily Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests till further discover, in accordance with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days a week to just accept payments on things resembling taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business right here as there aren't 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 different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

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

City officers stated that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It's also due to the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she typically labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We've been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as much as we will to get our city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the workforce now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out basic governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.