Whole Maine town compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine city 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 trip about a 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 nobody to register automobiles, keep crucial records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, based on The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person visitors until further notice, based on an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days per week to simply accept payments on things resembling taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise here as there are not any 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 vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The budget article also didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

City officials said that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. It's also due to the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she usually worked extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“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 city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do consider in time with the group we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, but it'll take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.