Entire Maine town forced to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The single 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 about a month and a half in the past. 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 automobiles, preserve essential data, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in line with The Bangor Each day News.

The town office shut down to in-person visitors until additional notice, in accordance with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days a week to simply accept funds on issues corresponding to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace 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 collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable 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 finances article meant to fund city operations after town officers failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The budget article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine legislation.

City officials said that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she typically worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“We have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the group we've got, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, however it should take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.