Entire Maine town pressured to close after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was available to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register vehicles, keep essential data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, according to The Bangor Every day News.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests until further notice, in accordance with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days a week to just accept payments on issues such as taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable 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 clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The finances article additionally did not embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine regulation.

Town officials stated that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. It's also 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 said she usually worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“Now we have been left with a multitude from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do believe in time with the crew we have, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it can take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.