Entire Maine city forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine city resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip request.

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip about a month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register autos, preserve essential data, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Day by day News.

The city office shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, according to an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days a week to just accept funds on things corresponding to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace 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 workplace to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

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

Town officials mentioned that they're discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. It's also as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she usually labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the team we've got, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking out good, but it can take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.