Whole Maine city forced to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 few 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 town has had no one to register automobiles, hold crucial information, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The town office shut down to in-person guests until additional discover, based on a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on issues similar to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call 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 collect tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

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

Town officials stated that they're discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is usually due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“Now we have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the team we've, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, but it is going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.