Total Maine city pressured to close after its solely 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 a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register automobiles, maintain essential information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, according to The Bangor Daily News.

The town workplace shut down to in-person visitors until further notice, according to a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable 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 finances article meant to fund town operations after city officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article also did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

Town officials said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts resulting from financial uncertainties. Additionally it is as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she often worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do believe in time with the group we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, but it is going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

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