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

The only 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 trip a couple of 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 automobiles, maintain essential information, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in line with The Bangor Every day News.

The city office shut down to in-person visitors until further notice, based on a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a couple of days every week to just accept payments on issues resembling taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are no 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 constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the city will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after town officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine law.

City officers said that they are finding it tough to fill the open posts resulting from financial uncertainties. It's also due to the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she stated she often worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do consider in time with the crew we've, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, however it would take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental obligations. It consists of getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.