Entire Maine city compelled to shut after its only clerk quits over denied vacation

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

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

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

The position of city clerk isn’t the only essential opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 folks additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, in response to The Bangor Day by day Information.

The city workplace shut right down to in-person visitors until additional discover, based on an announcement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer might be in a few days a week to just accept funds on issues comparable to taxes,” the assertion learn. “Please call the office before heading out to do any business right here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax funds. Still, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the other tasks that Ms. Bouchard was chargeable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, city residents rejected a funds article meant to fund city operations after city officers did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage increase. The funds article additionally 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 as a result of financial uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she often labored extra — and was paid just $13,500 per year.

“We've been left with a mess from years of neglect and are doing as much as we will to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do consider in time with the workforce we've got, we'll get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, however it will take a bit and is going to be a challenge for certain.”

In the interim, the individuals of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and other municipalities to carry out elementary governmental duties. It consists of getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.