Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The one clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation 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 no one was out there to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Each day Information.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests till further discover, based on a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on issues corresponding to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business here as there aren't any 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 different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after town officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The funds article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

Town officials stated that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It's also as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she usually worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've got been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do believe in time with the group we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it is going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental duties. It contains getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.