Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its solely 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 city clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip about a month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register vehicles, keep essential records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person guests till additional discover, in accordance with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days a week to accept funds on things resembling taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace before 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 collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The finances article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine regulation.

City officials said that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she typically worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have been left with a large number 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 said.

“I do consider in time with the staff we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, however it'll take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It contains getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.