Whole Maine town pressured to close after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

The one clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation 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 accessible to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, hold crucial records, or communicate with the state Department 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 control officer, and a faculty administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Day by day News.

The town office shut down to in-person guests until additional discover, in keeping with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace earlier than heading out to do any business here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the workplace to collect tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund town operations after city officials failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The price range article additionally did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

City officials stated that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It is also because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per year.

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

“I do consider in time with the team we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, but it can take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It contains getting registering their automobiles within the close by municipality of Howland.