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

The single clerk in a small Maine town 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 a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks also 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 town workplace shut all the way down to in-person visitors until further discover, based on an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days a week to just accept payments on things such as taxes,” the statement read. “Please name 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 funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building 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 to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after city officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The budget article additionally did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine regulation.

City officers mentioned that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It is also because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she often worked extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do imagine in time with the team we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and searching good, but it can take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

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