March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

One manager covers two branches

Calais has long been known as the retail hub of eastern Washington County. The Machias Savings Bank directors recognized that fact when they decided to expand their bank beyond Machias by opening a branch office at 108 North St., Calais, in March 1978.

Twelve years later, Machias Savings hired Houlton native Ron Gardiner to manage not only the Calais branch, but one located in the Woodland Shopping Center. Gardiner had been employed by the Farm Home Administration for seven years; he welcomed the opportunity to take a position in the banking sector.

According to Gardiner, the two branches serve different, yet overlapping clienteles. Calais sees much commercial activity with the area’s small businesses. There are many such enterprises, Gardiner said, including motels and restaurants and “the businesses along Main Street.”

The Calais branch also serves Calais residents, plus people living in Charlotte, Robbinston, Perry, Alexander, Crawford, Baring, and Meddybemps. The bank’s excellent location adjacent to a shopping center makes it convenient for Machias Savings customers living further north on Route 1 to bank there, too.

“A lot of people either work in Calais or shop here,” Gardiner said. “If they’re already in town, it only makes sense for them to do their banking while they’re here.”

The Woodland branch primarily serves Baileyville residents, as well as bank customers employed by the Georgia-Pacific Corp. or passing through town en route to home or shopping. This branch, which has four employees, operates its lobby from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, plus Friday, and from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, pay day for G-P employees. The drive-through window is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, plus Friday, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday. The Woodland employees are Phyllis Campbell, Jean Neddeau, Roslyn Bubar, Karen Fickett, and Margo Mulholland.

Gardiner, who like all other bank branch managers has a specified lending authority, said that no direct lending is done at the Woodland branch. “I will go there to originate or close a loan if it accommodates the customer,” he emphasized.

At the Calais branch, Gardiner oversees 10 employees, including Sheila Greenlaw, Karen Sabattus, Cindy Leighton, Sharon Cole, Christina Gillespie, Teresa Hollingdale, Linda McLaughlin, Joan MacDonald, Stacey Markey, and Marilyn Leighton. The lobby in Calais is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday. The drive-up window is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday.

Gardiner writes loans at the Calais branch. He estimated that “about half of the loan portfolio is residential,” including seasonal properties and home-equity loans. The other loans “are a blend of consumer and commercial lending.”

Many Canadians call at the Calais branch. “There’s a lot of Canadian activity at our ATM,” Gardiner said. “Ours’ is the first ATM on North Street once you’re past the International Bridge; it’s a natural place for Canadians to stop.”


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