Total Maine town pressured to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

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

Christen Bouchard was the town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was obtainable to step in for her.

She left on April 7. The town has had no one to register automobiles, preserve essential information, or talk with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 individuals also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a faculty administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Every day News.

The town office shut down to in-person visitors till further notice, in line with a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days per week to just accept payments on issues akin to taxes,” the statement learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any business here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after city officials did not adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary enhance. The funds article also didn't embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine regulation.

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

“We've got been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as much as we can to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do consider in time with the crew we have now, we'll get Passadumkeag again so as and looking good, however it is going to take a bit and is going to be a problem for positive.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out basic governmental duties. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.