Entire Maine town forced to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The only clerk in a small Maine town 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 trip a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was obtainable to step in for her.

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

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

The city office shut right down to in-person guests until further discover, according to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days every week to just accept payments on things such as taxes,” the statement 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 workplace to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

City officers said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts as a consequence of monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she mentioned she usually worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do consider in time with the workforce we have, we will get Passadumkeag back so as and looking good, but it'll take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.