Complete Maine city forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

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 no one was obtainable to step in for her.

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

The position of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Day by day News.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person visitors till further notice, according to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days a week to accept funds on things comparable to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

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

Town officials mentioned that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is also as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she typically worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

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

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

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.