Entire Maine city forced to close 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip a few month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Day by day Information.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional notice, in keeping with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days every week to just accept payments on things comparable to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the workplace earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a budget article meant to fund town operations after city officers failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The price range article additionally didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

Town officials stated that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It's also as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the crew we've, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking out good, but it can take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental obligations. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.