Entire Maine town pressured to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 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 automobiles, keep essential records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, based on The Bangor Every day Information.

The town office shut down to in-person guests till further notice, in keeping with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to just accept funds on things corresponding to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call 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. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

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

City officials stated that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts because of monetary uncertainties. It's also as a result of town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she usually worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We now have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do imagine in time with the group we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, but it is going to take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their automobiles in the nearby municipality of Howland.