AMESBURY — With gas prices remaining high and the cost of daily life increasing, Economic Development Coordinator Bruce Keller hopes to find out what Amesbury residents need.
As part of a new lecture series, Keller hopes to start a dialogue in town that will be used in future planning.
"The lecture series idea came after having the realization if gas prices stay high or continually go up, it will physically change how we do stuff," Keller said. "We want to see what higher energy costs mean physically to a community."
The lecture series slated to begin on Oct. 16 is titled "Our Changing World: 90-minute forums on energy, economy, environment and community."
The first part of the series will be held at the Amesbury Middle School auditorium and feature speaker Anthony Flint, noted journalist and member of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The talk will touch on the topic of rising energy and transportation costs as well as the changes already taking place regarding where people choose to live and work.
"The idea is to start a dialogue in the community about the major things going on (in the world) and what people's ideas are about what they need in a community."
Keller, who has been on the job for a year paid for by a grant, hopes to work people's ideas into future town planning. He is already working with the Chamber of Commerce to further market the town as a "walkable community."
"We want to know what people need in their downtown," Keller said. "Instead of driving everyday for 100 miles, people are more constrained and want a vibrant downtown."
Part of the vibrant downtown, Keller said, is deciding how empty space will be used.
"We want to know how we should use vacant buildings," Keller said. "We could have people rent them and share office space or is there more of a desire to fix the sidewalks?"
Future lecture topics in the works are "understanding peak oil," "alternative energy initiatives," "local creative economy" and "walkable, bike-friendly communities."
If You Go
What: Our World lecture series
When: Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Amesbury Middle School auditorium
For more information: Bruce Keller can be reached at 978-388-8110 x 313 or kellerb@ci.amesbury.ma.us.
