WHITEFIELD — Selectmen are hosting a discussion about the town’s future Thursday night in response to a low turnout at this year’s annual Town Meeting, especially among younger residents.

Newly elected Selectman Tony Marple is organizing the 6:30 p.m. discussion at Sheepscot General Store and hopes to boost resident involvement in town government by encouraging people to go to meetings, run for office or serve on committees.

Marple said one of the objectives is to see what people are interested in and to find ways to get them involved through those interests.

“Just trying to re-energize the town government a bit,” he said.

Fewer than 60 residents of the approximately 1,500 registered voters attended March’s annual Town Meeting, according to Town Clerk Aaron Miller. That’s a turnout of about 4 percent.

Marple said Thursday’s forum will include information on how town government works and some current issues facing Whitefield, including the upcoming special town meeting to decide whether residents want Whitefield to own the contentious Clary Lake dam.

He said they’ll also discuss what to do with the town’s comprehensive plan, which voters approved in 2005.

The plan includes guidelines for municipal officials about Whitefield’s town services, development, housing and more.

“Everybody likes this town that lives here,” Marple said. “It’s kind of unique, lots of varieties of different kinds of people. We ought to try to preserve that.”

Paul Koenig — 621-5663
pkoenig@mainetoday.com