Whole Maine city compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The single clerk in a small Maine town resigned after the board of selectmen denied her vacation request.

Christen Bouchard was the city 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 out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The city has had no one to register vehicles, keep essential data, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day News.

The town office shut down to in-person guests till further discover, in accordance with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days a week to accept payments on things resembling taxes,” the statement read. “Please name 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 payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register autos, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was responsible 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 price range article meant to fund city operations after town officers failed to adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article additionally didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

City officers mentioned that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. It is usually because of the city’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 extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“Now we have been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we are able to to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do imagine in time with the staff now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking out good, but it is going to take a bit and goes to be a problem for certain.”

In the interim, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform basic governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.