Whole Maine city compelled to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine town 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 about a 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 town has had nobody to register autos, maintain essential data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in line with The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut down to in-person guests until further notice, in line with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues corresponding to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise 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 autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund town operations after town officers did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The funds article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine legislation.

City officials stated that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts resulting from financial uncertainties. Additionally it is as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she mentioned she often worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“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 city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the group now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, but it is going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It includes getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.