Complete Maine town forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

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

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register autos, keep crucial data, 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 control officer, and a school administration official, in line with The Bangor Every day News.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests till further discover, in line with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to accept funds on issues comparable to taxes,” the statement read. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise here as there are no 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 vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the city will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after town officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The budget article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officials stated that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is usually due to the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she often labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

“We've been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the crew we've, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental duties. It contains getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.