Whole Maine city forced 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a couple of month and a half ago. 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 city has had no one to register autos, maintain crucial information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Every day News.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person visitors till additional notice, in accordance with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on things such as taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business right 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 autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after city officers failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The finances article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

City officers said that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the town’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 often labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the team we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it is going to take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.