Whole Maine city forced to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The one clerk in a small Maine city 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 ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, preserve crucial information, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The town office shut down to in-person visitors till additional notice, in line with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days per week to accept payments on things comparable to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business here as there aren't any 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 vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

City officers stated that they're discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts because of monetary uncertainties. It is usually because of the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she mentioned she typically labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do believe in time with the staff we've, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, but it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the close by municipality of Howland.