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

The one 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 trip a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

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

The place of city clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut down to in-person visitors till additional notice, in line with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days per week to simply accept payments on things such as taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the office before 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 funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund town operations after town officers did not 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 law.

Town officials mentioned that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she said she often worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do believe in time with the staff we have, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, however it's going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.