Maine Legislature
House Democratic Office
For Immediate Release:
June 23, 2026
Contact: Brian Lee (Rielly) | 305-965-2744
Maine Service Fellows, Supported by Rep. Rielly, Expands to Hancock and Aroostook Counties
AUGUSTA – The Maine Service Fellows (MSF), a program that was created through legislation sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, is expanding its impact in rural Maine through one new placement in Hancock County and one in Aroostook County. The additional fellowships were made possible through funding authorized in LD 876, sponsored by Rep. Rielly.
The MSF program places emerging professionals with host communities and organizations for service terms focused on local capacity building, economic development, climate resilience, housing and community revitalization initiatives. The new fellows will assist the Hancock County Planning Commission and the Town of Van Buren.
“I ran for office on the belief that every person in Maine should have the opportunity to serve and created the Maine Service Fellows (MSF) to give young people the chance to do so,” said Rielly. “Across the state, fellows are serving our neighbors from supporting affordable workforce housing initiatives in Stonington and Deer Isle to helping Dover-Foxcroft with emergency preparedness. The MSF program is building a new generation of leaders in this state who want to lead a life of service.”
“We are deeply grateful for the leadership and advocacy of Rep. Rielly and Speaker Ryan Fecteau in helping secure this funding,” said Brittany Gleixner-Hayat, executive director of Volunteer Maine. “Their support makes it possible for fellows to contribute meaningful service in communities facing both economic and environmental challenges while building pathways for young professionals to live and work in Maine.”
At the Hancock County Planning Commission, Sarah Bassett will support municipalities undertaking comprehensive planning and climate vulnerability assessments throughout coastal and rural Hancock County communities.
The project focuses on helping communities balance housing affordability and availability with increasing risks associated with flooding, storm surge and sea-level rise. Sarah will support the implementation of Maine Won’t Wait, Maine’s statewide climate plan, by helping municipalities integrate climate data, infrastructure analysis and land-use planning into local decision-making processes.
“After four years living and studying in Maine, I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to coastal communities working to navigate the combined challenges of climate vulnerability and housing access,” said Bassett. “The role’s blend of GIS analysis, planning and community engagement strongly aligns with both my experience and the type of impact I hope to make.”
In northern Maine, Jonathan Forbes will serve with the Town of Van Buren to launch the community’s new Small Business Incubator and Community Hub, a major downtown revitalization initiative supported by $1.78 million in federal funding.
Jonathan will help build the entrepreneurial ecosystem needed to support the incubator before the renovated facility officially opens. Serving directly with Town Manager Luke Dyer, he will engage aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners, connect residents with regional business-development resources and establish the educational programming, partnerships and operational systems needed for the incubator’s long-term success.
“I’ve found that municipal work is where tangible change is made, and I aim to pursue a career in local government,” said Forbes. “I’m excited by the opportunity to help build connections in Van Buren and contribute to a project that will have lasting impact on the community.”
Previous Maine Service Fellows have served in communities and organizations including Pleasant Point, Machias, Norway, Dover-Foxcroft, Cherryfield, Deer Isle and Stonington.
Rielly is serving his third term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He represents a portion of Westbrook.