Whole Maine city compelled to shut 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was accessible to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, based on The Bangor Daily Information.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional discover, in keeping with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to accept funds on issues resembling taxes,” the statement read. “Please name the office before heading out to do any business right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after town officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The finances article also did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials mentioned that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she often worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“Now we have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the team now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, however it can take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.