Entire Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The one clerk in a small Maine city 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 vacation a couple of 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 nobody to register vehicles, hold crucial information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Each day News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person visitors until further notice, based on a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days every week to simply accept payments on issues corresponding to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace earlier than 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 workplace to collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was responsible 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 funds article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The finances article also did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials mentioned that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she mentioned she often labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've got been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the staff we have, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, however it is going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out basic governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.