Entire Maine town pressured to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine town 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 trip about a month and a half in the past. 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 nobody to register vehicles, keep essential records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests till further discover, in response to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days a week to simply accept funds on issues resembling taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after city officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The price range article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

Town officers stated that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. It's also 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 mentioned 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 much as we are able to to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

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

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental tasks. It consists of getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.