Entire Maine town forced to shut after its solely 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 trip a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was accessible to step in for her.

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

The place of city clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Each day Information.

The city workplace shut down to in-person visitors until further notice, in accordance with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days a week to simply accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office earlier than 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 office to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

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

City officials stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of financial uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she typically worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the group now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, however it should take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out basic governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the close by municipality of Howland.