Complete Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single 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 trip a few 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 town has had nobody to register vehicles, maintain essential records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, in response to The Bangor Every day Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors till further notice, in accordance with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the office before heading out to do any enterprise 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 many 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, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The funds article additionally did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials stated that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. It's also due to 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 said she typically labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do believe in time with the team we've got, we will get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, but it should take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.