Total Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 out there to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Day by day News.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional discover, in response to a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days every week to accept payments on things such as taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace 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 workplace to collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

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

Town officers mentioned that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It is also due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she mentioned she typically worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the group we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it's going to take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.