Whole Maine town pressured to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The single 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 in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register vehicles, hold essential information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, according to The Bangor Each day News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person visitors until further discover, in accordance with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on things corresponding to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace 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 collect tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The price range article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

City officers mentioned that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. It's also because of the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she often worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

“We've got been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the workforce now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it should take a bit and goes to be a problem for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.