Entire Maine city pressured to close 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 trip a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register autos, maintain essential records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in line with The Bangor Daily News.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person visitors until further discover, in line with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days every week to just accept payments on things reminiscent of taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

City officials stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts resulting from financial uncertainties. It's also as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she mentioned she often worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our town back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do imagine in time with the crew now we have, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it is going to take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.