Featuring municipal government interns

We hear from two of our fantastic summer interns serving in Maine municipal governments –

Michael Levesque working with the Town of Vassalboro:

My name is Michael Levesque and I will be starting my third year at the University of Maine Farmington this fall. I have been interning at the town of Vassalboro since June 1st and almost two months later, things have been going well! My duties since I’ve started include documenting and mapping out cemetery information in the field, learning a new computer program to add all this information to and studying how municipal government works (something just as important as the first two I think). Although the town has many cemeteries that I will not be able to get to this summer (around 26 or so total!), my hope is that the system of organization I have started will make selling lots and retrieving genealogy information easier for years to come. In the photo I am working on the computer at the town office to add some of the data I had recorded out in the field at the cemetery.
— Michael

Allison Emery working with the Town of Gray:

As the Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Intern for the Town of Gray, I have conducted thorough research on ordinances, written Notice of Decision and Status of Lot letters, and reorganized the Town’s Community Development archives. I have also written several permit applications and drafted ordinances for the Town to later incorporate into their Code. In addition to working in community development, I have also been able to assist with the Town of Gray’s Summer Camp. I end everyday outside with the campers playing games, filling in where necessary, and helping with the parent pick-up process. Part of my varied job even involved planting the flowers in this picture. Overall, working for the Town of Gray has been an incredible experience and I look forward to using the skills I have gained in my professional career. Thank you to the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center and the Town of Gray for this opportunity! 
— Allison