Whole Maine city compelled to shut after its only 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 ago. 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 city has had nobody to register autos, preserve essential data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Every day Information.

The city workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, according to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to just accept payments on issues similar to taxes,” the statement read. “Please name 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 gather tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after town officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The finances article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine legislation.

Town officers mentioned that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is also 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 — although she mentioned she typically worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do imagine in time with the staff we've, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking out good, but it's going to take a bit and goes to be a problem for sure.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.