Whole Maine town pressured to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 vacation a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was out there to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the one important 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 keeping with The Bangor Daily Information.

The town office shut down to in-person guests until additional discover, in keeping with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a few days a week to simply accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business right 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 building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable 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 finances article meant to fund town operations after town officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The finances article also did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

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

“We've got 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 staff we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it's going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.