Whole Maine town forced to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The single 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 vacation a few month and a half ago. 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 nobody to register autos, preserve essential information, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The town office shut all the way down to in-person guests until additional discover, in keeping with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days every week to just accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties 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, town residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after city officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The price range article additionally didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officers said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts because of 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 each week — though she said she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

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

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.