Total Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation 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 nobody was out there to step in for her.

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

The position of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut down to in-person visitors until further discover, according 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 things comparable to taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace before 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 collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many 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 enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after city officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The price range article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

Town officials mentioned that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts as a result of monetary uncertainties. It's also because of the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she often labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We've got been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the crew we have, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and looking good, but it should take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.