Webster interns report 250+ outfall inspections, GIS mapping and Climate Smart research

Two town interns gave a summer wrap-up to the Webster Town Board, detailing inspection work, GIS mapping and outreach materials they produced for the town.

Michael, who said he will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall, told the board the team completed more than 250 outfall inspections, took photos and used Survey123 and GIS to map easements. "we expected 61 properties along the road and then produced an executive summary report for the town to use in the future." He said most outfalls showed only minor rusting or cracking and that the inspections are part of a routine five-year cycle.

The interns also reviewed the town’s Climate Smart Communities progress. They reported Webster has completed what they estimated as roughly "82 to 239" points toward registration and noted the town likely needs about 120 points for bronze registration; registering, they said, would require little additional cost and could strengthen future grant applications. The interns recommended simple resident-facing brochures explaining park-district roles and license agreements, and described work to streamline a mobile-vendor permit for town-owned public land.

Board members thanked the interns and praised staff mentors (Mark, Josh, Brad, Erica and Keith) for supporting the summer program. The board encouraged widening future internship placements to include finance and other departments to broaden professional experience.

Looking ahead, the interns said the Lake Road executive summary and the Survey123 database will be available for the town’s code enforcement and assessor offices to use in follow-up work.