Entire Maine town compelled to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

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 vacation a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, preserve essential information, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Each day News.

The town workplace shut down to in-person visitors till additional discover, in line with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days per week to accept funds on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any business right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund town operations after city officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The price range article also did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

City officers said that they're discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts as a result of monetary uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she said she usually worked extra — and was paid simply $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 are able to to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the team we have now, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, however it can take a bit and goes to be a problem for sure.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.