Total Maine town forced to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single 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 trip a couple of 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, maintain essential data, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Day by day News.

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

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office before heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund city operations after city officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

Town officers said that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. It is also as a result of 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 mentioned she usually labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the group we've, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, however it would take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.