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

The single 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 vacation a few month and a half ago. 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 town has had no one to register automobiles, hold crucial information, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, based on The Bangor Every day News.

The city workplace shut down to in-person guests till additional notice, in line with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a couple of days a week to accept payments on things equivalent to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the workplace before heading out to do any business right here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

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

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after town officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The price range article additionally didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine law.

City officers said that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It is also due to the city’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she stated she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“We've got been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do imagine in time with the team we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it's going to take a bit and goes to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.