Total Maine city forced to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The single clerk in a small Maine city 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 couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register vehicles, hold crucial information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Every day News.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional discover, in accordance with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days a week to simply accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace earlier than 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 payments. Nonetheless, 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 chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after town officials did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The finances article also did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

City officers stated that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts attributable to financial uncertainties. It is usually because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she typically labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we will to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the group we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it will take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It includes getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.