Controlling growth, solving a school space crunch, keeping taxes manageable and getting more responsive town leadership were among the hottest topics at Speak Up Auburn, a day-long event where residents shared their visions for the future of the small town.

About 75 people attended the event Saturday, Nov. 4, at Auburn Village School.

Many residents said they felt the turnout was low.

“I think it’s a worthwhile endeavor, and it’s a shame more people didn’t turn out,” said resident Lori Gelinas.

Still, for those who did attend, the project was rewarding.

“I am sad more people weren’t here, but it was very well organized and, I think, very productive,” said resident Maria Rooney.

Said resident Robert Desfosses, “I think it’s been great – people here are able to say whatever they want to say.”

Throughout the day, residents were put into discussion groups where they did things like identify existing problems in town, or determine what local or regional issues are most critical to Auburn in the next decade.

Groups also identified viable solutions to perceived problems and prioritized local issues based on importance.

Two of the most commonly voiced goals were to manage growth and to protect open space.

“I think that’s been the underlying theme here,” said Desfosses.

Schools and school facilities were also big topics. Auburn Village School has been crowded for years, and the school district recently purchased 58 acres of undeveloped property.

“I teach here so that’s a real big issue for me,” said Gelinas.

Another big issue was town leadership. Many residents said they don’t feel the town’s leadership is responsive to the townspeople.

Rooney said that perception was validated during the event.

“I am shocked that the selectmen and some other board members weren’t here today to hear what their constituents had to say,” he said.

Resident Gary Gelinas said while residents agreed on many issues, finding solutions to existing problems may be tricky.

“We have a lot of different issues in this town,” said Gelinas.

For example, he said, while building a school would solve one overriding concern, it would only exacerbate another problem – rising taxes.

“Or you want more business to come build and help with the tax base, but at the same time you want to protect the land,” said Gelinas.

The event came from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, which will return a written report – termed a “community profile” -– of the day’s activities. Auburn is now one of more than 70 New Hampshire towns that’s embarked on the community profile exercise.

The community profile, which includes virtually every discussion had during Speak Up Auburn, will be used in part to guide the town’s revisions of its Master Plan and Capital Improvements Program.

“Ultimately, every item we come up with will go into that community profile,” said Dan Reidy, community development educator with the UNH Cooperative Extension.

Another goal of the event was to get residents involved directly in issues they feel strongly about, and perhaps draw in some new volunteers, said Elizabeth Robidoux, chairman of the local steering committee in charge of the event.

“If nothing else today, we built a little bit of community spirit,” said Robidoux.