Whole Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The single clerk in a small Maine city 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 trip a few month and a half in the past. 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 town has had no one to register autos, maintain crucial information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day News.

The city office shut right down to in-person guests until additional notice, in keeping with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days every week to accept payments on things equivalent to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

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

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

City officers mentioned that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of financial 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 every week — although she said she usually labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“Now we have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the group we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, but it can take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental responsibilities. It contains getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.