Complete Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single 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 vacation a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, preserve crucial data, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day News.

The city workplace shut down to in-person guests till additional discover, in response to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues comparable to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business right here as there are not 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 vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible 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 price range article meant to fund town operations after town officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The finances article also did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials said that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is usually as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she often worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“We have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the staff we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking good, but it should take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental duties. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the close by municipality of Howland.