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

The single 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 about a month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register autos, hold essential information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Day by day Information.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person visitors till further notice, in accordance with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days every week to accept payments on issues such as taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible 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 town officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The budget article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officials said that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she usually worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do believe in time with the staff we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a problem for certain.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental responsibilities. It contains getting registering their automobiles within the close by municipality of Howland.