Total Maine town compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 vacation a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register autos, preserve crucial data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Daily Information.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person guests till further discover, in keeping with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days per week to just accept payments on things equivalent to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office 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 office to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after city officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The finances article also did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officials stated that they're discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts because of monetary uncertainties. It is usually due to the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she usually worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We now have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do consider in time with the group we have now, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, however it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental tasks. It consists of getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.