Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

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

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

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

The position 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 control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Every day Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors till further notice, according to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days per week to accept funds on issues corresponding to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the office before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

City officials said that they're finding it tough to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she often worked extra — and was paid just $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 town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the group we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it'll take a bit and is going to be a problem for sure.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.