Total Maine town compelled 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 trip 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 no one was out there to step in for her.

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

The place of city clerk isn’t the one essential opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, based on The Bangor Every day News.

The town office shut down to in-person visitors until further notice, in accordance with an announcement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days a week to accept funds on issues similar to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace before 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 office to collect tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do building inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks 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, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after town officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The funds article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine regulation.

Town officers said that they are finding it troublesome 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 every week — though she mentioned she often worked 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 will to get our city back in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie mentioned.

“I do believe in time with the staff we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back in order and searching good, however it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the meanwhile, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform fundamental governmental duties. It includes getting registering their automobiles in the close by municipality of Howland.