Entire Maine city forced to close after its solely 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 about a 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 town has had nobody to register autos, keep crucial records, or communicate 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 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Day by day News.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person visitors until further notice, in accordance with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days per week to just accept funds on things equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name 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 payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after town officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The funds article also didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

Town officers mentioned that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a result of monetary uncertainties. It is usually as a result of city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she stated she often worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We now have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the workforce now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for sure.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the close by municipality of Howland.