Whole Maine city pressured to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

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 vacation about a 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 town has had nobody to register autos, preserve crucial information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The city office shut all the way down to in-person visitors till further discover, in response to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days per week to simply accept payments on issues such as taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after city officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The price range article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials said that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she usually worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do imagine in time with the crew now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it's going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the individuals 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.