Whole Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

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 a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register autos, hold crucial information, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place 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 control officer, and a faculty administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day Information.

The city workplace shut down to in-person visitors till further discover, in keeping with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days a week to just accept funds on issues comparable to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name 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 workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks 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 price range article meant to fund city operations after town officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The finances article additionally didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

Town officers said that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a result of monetary uncertainties. It is usually as a result of city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she usually labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We have now been left with a large number 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 imagine in time with the staff we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a problem for sure.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental duties. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.