Total Maine town forced to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine city 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 vacation a couple of month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had nobody to register automobiles, keep essential records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a faculty administration official, according to The Bangor Each day News.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person visitors until additional notice, in response to an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days every week to accept funds on things such as taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the office before heading out to do any business right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after town officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The price range article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

Town officers stated that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. It's also due to the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she usually labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We've got been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we will to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the staff we've, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and looking good, however it'll take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental tasks. It contains getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.