Complete Maine city pressured to close after its only clerk quits over denied trip

The single clerk in a small Maine city 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 out there to step in for her.

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

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

The city workplace shut all the way down to in-person guests till further discover, according to a press release sent out on April 19.

“The Treasurer will be in a few days per week to simply accept payments on issues equivalent to taxes,” the assertion read. “Please name the workplace before heading out to do any business here as there are no designated hours of operation now.”

Treasurer Barbara Boyer has apparently been coming into the office to collect tax payments. Nonetheless, she is reportedly unable to register automobiles, do constructing inspections, conduct animal welfare checks, or undertake lots of the different duties that Ms. Bouchard was accountable for.

It’s unclear when the city will be capable of fill the vacant positions and reopen for business. In March, town residents rejected a budget article meant to fund city operations after city officials didn't adequately clarify the reasoning for a proposed salary increase. The funds article also didn't embrace funding for a code enforcement officer, a necessity below Maine law.

City officers mentioned that they are discovering it troublesome to fill the open posts attributable to financial uncertainties. Additionally it is due to the town’s small inhabitants, and the municipal roles being only part-time. Ms Bouchard was only contracted to work 16 hours every week — though she said she typically worked 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 town again so as,” first selectman Brad McKechnie stated.

“I do believe in time with the team we now have, we'll get Passadumkeag back in order and looking out good, but it'll take a bit and is going to be a challenge for positive.”

In the interim, the people of Passadumkeag are relying on selectmen and different municipalities to perform basic governmental responsibilities. It includes getting registering their vehicles in the close by municipality of Howland.