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

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation request.

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

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register vehicles, maintain crucial data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, in keeping with The Bangor Daily Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person visitors till further discover, according to a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days every week to just accept payments on issues comparable to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the workplace before 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 gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The budget article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

City officials stated that they're finding it tough to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she said she usually labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do imagine in time with the crew we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, but it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out basic governmental duties. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the close by municipality of Howland.