Entire Maine town compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip about a 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 crucial records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Each day Information.

The city office shut right down to in-person guests till additional notice, according to a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days every week to accept payments on things reminiscent of taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business right here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after city officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The price range article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

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

“We've got been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do imagine in time with the group now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a problem for sure.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.