Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its solely 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation 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 out there to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Daily News.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person visitors till further discover, based on an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days per week to simply accept funds on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officers did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The budget article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine regulation.

City officers stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. It is also due to the town’s small inhabitants, 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 extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do imagine in time with the workforce now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, however it can take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental duties. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the close by municipality of Howland.