Complete Maine town compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation about a month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register autos, hold essential information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The city office shut down to in-person guests until additional discover, in keeping with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on issues comparable to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

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

City officials mentioned that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the 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 mentioned she often labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

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

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental duties. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.