Total Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The single 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 vacation a few 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 town has had nobody to register vehicles, keep crucial records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Each day News.

The town office shut down to in-person guests till further discover, in response to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on things comparable to taxes,” the statement read. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The funds article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine regulation.

City officers said that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is also as a result of city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she typically labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do imagine in time with the team we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, but it would take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental duties. It contains getting registering their vehicles within the close by municipality of Howland.