Total Maine town pressured to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 nobody was accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register automobiles, hold essential records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Every day Information.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests until additional notice, in response to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days per week to just accept funds on things akin to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any enterprise here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

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

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

Town officials said that they're finding it difficult to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. It is also as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she usually worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do imagine in time with the crew we now have, we will get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, however it's going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.