Entire Maine city compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

The only 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 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 obtainable to step in for her.

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

The place of city clerk isn’t the one 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 response to The Bangor Every day News.

The city office shut right down to in-person visitors until additional discover, according to an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a few days a week to accept funds on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace 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 workplace to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

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

City officers mentioned that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. It is usually because of the city’s small inhabitants, 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 multitude from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our town again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the staff we've, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it can take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their cars in the close by municipality of Howland.