Total Maine town pressured 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 city 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 obtainable to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut right down to in-person guests until further discover, according to an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days a week to simply accept funds on things equivalent to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

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

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The budget article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

Town officials said that they are finding it troublesome to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. It is usually as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she often labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do believe in time with the workforce we have now, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it's going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their cars in the nearby municipality of Howland.