OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A new committee seeking to make the town a better place for its residents wants your input.

The OOB Community Friendly Connection is hosting a meet and greet on Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Those present will include local and state officials, representatives from AARP and representatives from the offices of U.S. senators Angus King and Susan Collins. 

A few months ago, the town became part of the network of AARP Age-Friendly Communities. Communities involved in the program must go through a multi-step process to improve the community that includes putting together an action plan, assessing community needs and gathering and evaluating information, according to AARP.

As part of the Age-Friendly Community process, a core committee comprised of town officials, representatives from the local chamber of commerce, and representatives from a cross-section of local organizations has formed. 

The effort is called OOB Community Friendly Connection, with a mission to create a great place to live, work, play and do business for people of all ages.

The group has created a six-page survey, asking questions about housing, transportation, family, activities, and opinions about the town. 

Surveys were distributed to condominium associations and at Town Hall, the library, and a number of organizations and businesses in town. Members of the committee have also gone door to door in some neighborhoods.

Assistant Town Manager Louise Reid spent Election Day at the polls handing out surveys. She said she spoke to many people who showed a lot of interest in the effort, and said the town has received a good number of completed surveys — more than 400. She also said she’s been impressed with the volunteers involved with the OOB Community Friendly Connection, some of who have spent “hours and hours” of time on the project. 

“I have a warm and cuddly feeling,” she said. 

Reid said an outside professional will be hired using grant money to analyze the results of the survey and present their findings to the Town Council.

Reid said after reviewing the results thus far, it appears that transportation and sidewalks are top concerns among those surveyed. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.