Whole Maine city compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The single 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 about a 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 vehicles, maintain crucial records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in line with The Bangor Every day News.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests until additional discover, in response to an announcement sent out on April 19.

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

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

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

City officials stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It is usually due to the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she usually worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do believe in time with the workforce now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, but it will take a bit and is going to be a problem for sure.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental duties. It includes getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.