Total Maine town compelled to shut after its solely clerk quits over denied trip

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

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip about a month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was out there to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had nobody to register automobiles, preserve crucial records, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, according to The Bangor Each day Information.

The town workplace shut right down to in-person guests till additional discover, in accordance with a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days every week to just accept funds on things such as taxes,” the statement read. “Please name the office before heading out to do any business right here as there aren't any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was liable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after town officers did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The finances article additionally didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine law.

City officers said that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to monetary uncertainties. It is also because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she typically worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We now have been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we are able to to get our city again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the team we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and looking good, but it should take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out fundamental governmental obligations. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the nearby municipality of Howland.