Complete Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

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

Christen Bouchard was the city 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 no one was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register autos, hold essential records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Every day Information.

The city workplace shut all the way down to in-person visitors until further discover, in response to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days per week to accept funds on things reminiscent of taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business 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 payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after city officers failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine legislation.

Town officers mentioned that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to financial uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she often labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we will to get our town back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the workforce we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, however it would take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.