Complete Maine town forced to shut 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 city 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 no one was accessible to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in response to The Bangor Each day Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors till further discover, in keeping with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days per week to just accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax funds. Still, 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 accountable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able 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 officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The price range article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

City officials stated that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“Now we have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do consider in time with the workforce we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, however it would take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the close by municipality of Howland.