Entire Maine town forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The one clerk in a small Maine city 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 nobody was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register automobiles, maintain essential records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, based on The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, in keeping with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on issues such as taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace before 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 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 different duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The finances article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

City officials stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. It is also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do consider in time with the crew we now have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and looking good, however it is going to take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental tasks. It consists of getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.