RUMFORD — People who had business Wednesday afternoon at the clerk’s office at Rumford District Court were out of luck.

A pink sign attached to the door stated that the office was closed because there aren’t enough employees to handle the needs of the public eight hours a day, five days a week.

“Due to serious budget limitations, the Judicial Branch is currently experiencing a staffing shortage,” the sign stated.

The office will be closed to the public when court is not in session: From 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, July 9, Thursday, July 15; Friday, July 16; Monday, July 19; Wednesday, July 21; Tuesday, July 27; and Thursday, July 29.

The closure will continue as long as the staffing shortage lasts, and the notice will be updated each month.

Wendy Rau, Maine Director of Court Operations in Augusta, said Wednesday afternoon that normally the Rumford office has a clerk and two assistants working. Now, however, they are down to a clerk and one assistant.

Advertisement

“We have one of three positions vacant there, and we’re not in a position to fill the vacancy,” Rau said.

She said she isn’t sure if other district courts across the state are likewise affected due to budget constraints.

In other parts of the state, however, district court clerk’s office hours have been reduced in the past.

“It’s one of the unfortunate things that happens, and sometimes it means reduced public hours,” she said.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.