Entire Maine city pressured to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 vacation a couple of month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that nobody was out there to step in for her.

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only necessary opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Daily News.

The city office shut right down to in-person guests till further notice, based on a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a few days per week to just accept funds on issues resembling taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please name the workplace earlier than heading out to do any enterprise right here as there are not 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 vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the town will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a budget article meant to fund town operations after city officers failed to adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The price range article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity beneath Maine regulation.

Town officials mentioned that they're discovering it tough to fill the open posts because of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was solely contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she said she often worked more — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

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

“I do believe in time with the group now we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, but it'll take a bit and is going to be a problem for certain.”

For the time being, the individuals of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental responsibilities. It consists of getting registering their cars within the close by municipality of Howland.