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

The only 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 trip 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 obtainable to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, based on The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut right down to in-person guests until additional discover, in line with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days per week to simply accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different 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, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The funds article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

Town officials mentioned that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is also due to the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she mentioned she usually labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

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

“I do imagine in time with the staff we've got, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it should take a bit and goes to be a problem for sure.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental obligations. It consists of getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.