Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 about a month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was out there to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Daily Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors till further discover, based on a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days per week to accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the assertion 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 gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties 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 finances article meant to fund city operations after town officers did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The funds article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

City officers mentioned that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she usually worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We have now been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the crew we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, but it's going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.