Whole Maine city forced to shut after its only 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 city clerk in Passadumkeag, Maine, since 2020. She requested a two-week vacation 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, maintain crucial data, or communicate with the state Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of city clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a school administration official, in response to The Bangor Each day News.

The city office shut right down to in-person guests till additional notice, in line with a press release despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer can be in a couple of days per week to just accept funds on issues akin to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the office before heading out to do any business here as there aren't any 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 building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake most of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund city operations after city officials failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The price range article additionally did not embody funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

City officers said that they are finding it difficult to fill the open posts due to financial uncertainties. It's also as a result of city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she mentioned she usually labored extra — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

“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 in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do imagine in time with the crew now we have, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it'll take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the intervening time, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to perform elementary governmental obligations. It includes getting registering their cars within the nearby municipality of Howland.