Entire Maine city pressured to shut after its solely 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 town clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week trip about a month and a half ago. 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 city has had nobody to register vehicles, keep essential records, or talk with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day Information.

The town office shut down to in-person guests until further notice, in response to an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer shall be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on things resembling taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the workplace 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 workplace to gather tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a funds article meant to fund town operations after town officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The price range article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity under Maine legislation.

City officers stated that they are discovering it tough to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she mentioned she typically worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per 12 months.

“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 town back so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie said.

“I do believe in time with the crew we have, we will get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, but it should take a bit and goes to be a challenge for certain.”

In the meanwhile, the folks of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental obligations. It contains getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.