Total Maine town pressured to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 vacation a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register automobiles, hold essential data, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only essential 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 response to The Bangor Each day Information.

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

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

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

Town officials mentioned that they're finding it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It's also as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she usually worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do consider in time with the team we've got, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, however it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.