Entire Maine town forced to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

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 in the past. 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 city has had no one to register vehicles, maintain crucial data, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The place of town clerk isn’t the one important opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 folks also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a college administration official, in accordance with The Bangor Each day Information.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests until further discover, in accordance with a statement despatched out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will probably be in a couple of days per week to just accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please call the office 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 office to collect tax payments. Still, she is reportedly unable to register vehicles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake many of the different tasks that Ms. Bouchard was answerable for.

It’s unclear when the town will have the ability to fill the vacant positions and reopen for enterprise. In March, city residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after city officers didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The funds article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine legislation.

City officials said that they're finding it difficult to fill the open posts on account of monetary uncertainties. It is usually because of the town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — although she said she often labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per 12 months.

“We have now been left with a large number from years of neglect and are doing as a lot as we can to get our city again in order,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the crew we have, we are going to get Passadumkeag back so as and searching good, but it's going to take a bit and goes to be a problem for certain.”

For the time being, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to carry out elementary governmental duties. It contains getting registering their automobiles within the nearby municipality of Howland.