Total Maine city compelled to close after its solely clerk quits over denied vacation

The one 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 a few month and a half in the past. Her plea was denied by the board of selectmen. They claimed that no one was obtainable to step in for her.

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

The place of town clerk isn’t the one vital opening in Passadumkeag. The city of 356 people additionally lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal management officer, and a school administration official, in line with The Bangor Daily News.

The town workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests till additional discover, in response to a statement sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days per week to accept payments on issues resembling taxes,” the statement read. “Please call the workplace before heading out to do any enterprise right here as there aren't any 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 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 finances article meant to fund city operations after city officials did not adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed wage enhance. The budget article also did not include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

City officials said that they're discovering it difficult to fill the open posts as a consequence of financial uncertainties. It's also because of the city’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours each week — though she said she usually worked more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do consider in time with the staff we've got, we will get Passadumkeag back so as and looking out good, however it should take a bit and goes to be a problem for positive.”

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