Alna officials and residents voiced interest March 28 in giving townspeople more to do together. A Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum announcement to selectmen sparked the conversation.

The nonprofit’s marketing director Steve Piwowarski said the museum on Cross Road plans a celebration for residents June 16, the day before Father’s Day, including free train rides. Non-residents will pay to ride, he said. 

Piwowarski explained the event is about the community. “We want to just give a place to do it, to bring people together in this way.” He hopes businesses and organizations including the fire department will get involved, he said. Fire Chief Mike Trask told selectmen he could ask members. 

Attendees and officials brainstormed. The ideas included a town-wide scavenger hunt, possibly centered on town-owned historic buildings; and a softball game: Town officials versus the museum. Past museum president Steve Zuppa was smiling as he suggested it.

Piwowarski, originally from Rutland, Vermont, recalled a scavenger hunt there. “It was really cool, and you learned so much.”

Third Selectman Doug Baston said the town used to have a recreation committee and he wasn't sure why it stopped meeting. He and newly elected First Selectman Melissa Spinney discussed possibly restarting the committee. Maybe a picnic table or a playground could be considered for the town’s portion of the Pinkham Pond shoreline or elsewhere in town, participants said.

Spinney liked the thought of a playground. “I think it’s the one thing Alna’s missing,” she said.

Also March 28, selectmen said they would ask Maine Municipal Association if and when a special election is needed for the second selectman’s seat Spinney had held; re-appointed Liz Brown town clerk and Amy Stockford treasurer; appointed Tom McKenzie code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector and emergency management agency director, and recently retired first selectman David Abbott a fence viewer; and decided to offer Toby Stockford another one-year, $3,200 mowing contract.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. April 11 at the town office.