Entire Maine town compelled to close after its solely 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 about a month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register autos, keep crucial records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, in keeping with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to accept funds on issues resembling taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office before heading out to do any business here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

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

Town officials mentioned that they're finding it tough to fill the open posts due to 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 every week — although she said she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a mess 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 said.

“I do imagine in time with the workforce we have, we will get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it will take a bit and is going to be a problem for sure.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out basic governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.