Whole Maine town compelled to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The only clerk in a small Maine city 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 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 no one to register automobiles, keep essential information, or communicate with the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The position of town clerk isn’t the only vital opening in Passadumkeag. The town of 356 people also lacks a code enforcement officer, an assessor, an animal control officer, and a college administration official, according to The Bangor Each day Information.

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

“The Treasurer will likely be in a couple of days a week to simply accept payments on issues reminiscent of taxes,” the statement learn. “Please name the office earlier than heading out to do any enterprise here as there are not any designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to gather tax payments. 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 responsible for.

It’s unclear when the town will be able to fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a price range article meant to fund town operations after city officers didn't adequately explain the reasoning for a proposed wage improve. The price range article also didn't include funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity underneath Maine legislation.

City officials said that they're finding it troublesome to fill the open posts as a result of financial uncertainties. It is usually as a result of town’s small population, and the municipal roles being solely part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — although she stated she typically labored more — and was paid simply $13,500 per yr.

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

“I do consider in time with the team we now have, we will get Passadumkeag again in order and searching good, but it will take a bit and goes to be a challenge for sure.”

For the time being, the folks of Passadumkeag are counting on selectmen and different municipalities to perform elementary governmental tasks. It includes getting registering their vehicles within the nearby municipality of Howland.