AUGUSTA — Maine State Credit Union has announced that Elizabeth Jean has joined its organization as senior vice president of Mortgage Lending.
In this newly created role, Jean will oversee the strategic direction of the mortgage team.
Elizabeth Jean Submitted photo
“We are excited to have someone with Elizabeth’s knowledge and experience join our team,” said Brie-Anne Mellor, chief lending officer, according to a news release from the credit union. “Having had her own mortgage business and having worked at one of the largest regional banks in Maine, she brings a lot of product and market knowledge to the organization, which will help to provide our members with a better experience and product selection.”
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Jean has spent her career in the mortgage industry; she worked at a large regional bank for over seven years and went on to operate Gold Star Mortgage in Augusta for three years.
“I was attracted to the culture and the people at Maine State Credit Union and am thrilled that I took the chance,” said Jean. “I am excited to help provide real-life solutions to challenges that the mortgage and real estate industry faces. Buying a house, whether someone’s first or third, is a big financial commitment, and I am excited to help build training and processes to make it as easy as possible.”
Jean attended the University of Maine and is a board member of the Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center. She is also an active volunteer within her children’s sports communities. Jean lives in Central Maine with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.
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$500,000 in grants available to bring remote workers to Maine
PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum, is laying off 176 workers in Maine.
A company spokesperson said 176 employees were informed on Wednesday about the layoffs.
Charter Communications said it is transitioning the work done at the Portland call center to other U.S.-based centers effective immediately.
“Employees may relocate in their current role to select customer service locations and are eligible for relocation benefits. They will continue to receive regular pay for 90 days; severance and eligible benefits will begin afterward for those who do not relocate. Impacted employees may also apply for any open role for which they are qualified,” a company spokesperson said.
According to the Press Herald, the layoff is about a quarter of their Maine workforce.
Regional School Unit (RSU) 9 school board member Griffin Mayhew, 26, representing Wilton, died unexpectedly on Monday, just months after he first took office in June.
[ Community Split Over Mt. Blue Principal’s Halloween Costume, But RSU 9 Confirms Black is Back on the Job…]
“Griffin was an exemplary young man whose commitment, kindness, and thoughtfulness were evident throughout his service on the Board along with his support of student activities at Mt. Blue Campus.
RSU 9, also known as the Mt. Blue Regional School, serves Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld, and Wilton. Griffin became one of Wilton’s three RSU 9 Board of Directors members after defeating opponent Douglas Hiltz in a 209-146 vote.
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The incumbent board member did not run for reelection.
Out of respect for Mayhew’s memory, the school district postponed the meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
“I don’t have many details or any information about services yet, but you should know that he was a thoughtful and decent member of the board. While his tenure on the board was short, it was clear to me that Griffin would become one of our best board members. He was exactly the sort of person you would want to see representing you in local government, and we will miss him,” said the Franklin County Democrats on Facebook.
Mayhew’s cause of death has not been released.
2025 Image of Mayhew from his Facebook Account
At 380 feet, the proposed tower on Union Street in Portland would be the tallest building in Maine. It is meant to resemble a lighthouse beacon. (Courtesy of Safdie Architects)
A nearly 400-foot tower that would transform Portland’s skyline moved one step closer to reality Tuesday night when it received unanimous approval from the city’s Planning Board.
The 30-story mixed-use, high-rise building is proposed for 45 Union St., adjacent to the Old Port.
Now, the developer will need to secure building permits, finalize financing and begin work on detailed construction documents. The project does not require any approval from the City Council.
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The tower, proposed by Portland developer East Brown Cow Management LLC, would stand at 380 feet, making it far and away the state and city’s tallest building. It would include more than 70 residential units, commercial space, an 88-room hotel and a restaurant at the top, and is just one part of a project called Old Port Square, designed to fill an entire city block.
Portland updated its zoning laws last year with the goal of allowing growth in the city while preserving its character. The overhaul included an increased maximum height for buildings in some of the city’s major corridors, permitting buildings up to 380 feet in downtown.
On Tuesday night, the board heard presentations about traffic impacts of the proposal and reviewed the developer’s latest revisions to the application before receiving a final round of public comment.
That testimony, both in person at the meeting and in submitted written comments, was mixed.
Local organizations, including Greater Portland Landmarks and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, expressed support for the project, describing it as a modern but thoughtful design that would transform an underutilized parking lot into a vibrant mixed-use space.
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“This project shows that Portland can honor its history while preparing for its future,” said Thomas O’Boyle, director of advocacy at the chamber.
But other residents and local business owners criticized the building as an eyesore, whose height would disrupt Portland’s skyline and conflict with the city and Old Port’s historic character. Several commenters said the city, in need of more affordable housing, should prioritize those projects over new high-end apartments and a hotel.
In accordance with Portland’s inclusionary zoning rules, developers are planning to pay about $3.3 million into the city’s Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund in lieu of building affordable housing units.
During deliberations, the board acknowledged public concerns about the skyline and how it might visually transform the city, but noted that the applicants had met board standards. Members acknowledged that after raising the city’s maximum permitted downtown building heights last year, someone had to be the first to build in the new allowable space.
The planning board approved the project unanimously, although several members were absent.
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The board also passed language requiring that if the developer makes major material or architectural changes that substantially differ from the approved plans, they must submit those changes to the board for review.
