Whole Maine city compelled to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the city clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip a couple of month and a half ago. 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 automobiles, hold crucial information, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Daily Information.

The town office shut down to in-person guests until further notice, in accordance with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to simply accept payments on things corresponding to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the office before heading out to do any enterprise here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

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

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

City officers mentioned that they're finding it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of monetary uncertainties. It is usually as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she often labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now 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 city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the crew we've, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking out good, however it will take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.