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

The one clerk in a small Maine city 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 couple of 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 town has had nobody to register autos, maintain essential records, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of city clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, based on The Bangor Each day Information.

The city workplace shut down to in-person visitors till further notice, based on an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a few days a week to just accept funds on things akin to taxes,” the statement read. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right 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 vehicles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, town residents rejected a finances article meant to fund city operations after city officers did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary improve. The budget article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

Town officials said that they are discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a result of monetary uncertainties. It's also because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she usually labored more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

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

“I do imagine in time with the staff we have now, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and looking out good, however it'll take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.