Whole Maine town pressured to shut after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The one clerk in a small Maine city resigned after the board of selectmen denied her trip 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 out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register automobiles, preserve essential information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in line with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town office shut all the way down to in-person visitors till additional discover, in keeping with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days per week to simply accept funds on things equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any enterprise here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office 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 tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable 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 budget article meant to fund town operations after city officials didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The price range article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

Town officials said that they're finding it tough to fill the open posts resulting from monetary uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she typically labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We 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 so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the workforce we've got, we will get Passadumkeag back so as and looking good, but it will take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.