Complete Maine town compelled to shut 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 vacation a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register autos, hold essential information, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in line with The Bangor Day by day Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests until additional notice, based on a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on things resembling taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace earlier than 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 automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

Town officers stated that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is 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 each week — although she stated she typically labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do imagine in time with the workforce we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it's going to take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.