Total Maine city pressured to shut after its only 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 city clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register autos, keep essential records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Daily Information.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, in accordance with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days a week to accept funds on things such as taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office before 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. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

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

City officers mentioned that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts because of monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is due to 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 stated she usually labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the group we've got, we will get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it would take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

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