Total Maine town forced to close after its solely 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip 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 nobody to register vehicles, keep essential data, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The town office shut right down to in-person guests till additional notice, in response to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days per week to simply accept payments on issues akin to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties 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 finances article meant to fund town operations after city officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The funds article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine legislation.

Town officials said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she typically worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the staff we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and looking good, but it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.