Total Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 obtainable to step in for her.

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

The position of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests till further discover, in keeping with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days a week to simply accept payments on issues akin to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business 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. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The budget article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

City officers mentioned that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts as a consequence of monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she usually labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the group we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking good, however it would take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental responsibilities. It contains getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.