Entire Maine city compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 trip about a month and a half ago. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

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

The position of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks 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 all the way down to in-person visitors till further notice, based on a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to just accept payments on things corresponding to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the office earlier than 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. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a finances article meant to fund city operations after town officers did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The funds article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

Town officers mentioned that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts due to monetary uncertainties. It is also due to the town’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 typically labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“Now 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 back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do consider in time with the staff we've got, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it is going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

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