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

The one 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 a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was available to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, based on The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors until additional discover, in accordance with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days per week to simply accept payments on things corresponding to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the town 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 city officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The price range article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine regulation.

City officials stated that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. It is usually due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she usually labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have now been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the workforce we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, but it would take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.