Total Maine town forced to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The one 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 vacation about a 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 no one to register vehicles, preserve essential information, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

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

The city office shut all the way down to in-person visitors till further discover, in keeping with an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any enterprise here as there are not 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 constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after city officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The funds article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine legislation.

Town officers said that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts resulting from financial uncertainties. It is usually as a result of city’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she mentioned she usually worked 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 town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

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

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out basic governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.