Entire Maine city forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 a few month and a half ago. 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 information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Daily Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors till additional notice, according to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to just accept payments on issues such as taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace 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 constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

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

Town officers said that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she usually labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do consider in time with the group we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, however it will take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.