Complete Maine town pressured to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

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

Christen Bouchard was the city 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 out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register autos, keep essential data, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the one necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Daily News.

The town workplace shut down to in-person visitors until further discover, in response to an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days per week to simply accept funds on things equivalent to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right 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 building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

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

City officers stated that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is also because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she said she often labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have now been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as much as we will to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

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

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.