AUBURN - Dozens of people who showed up at Casey Park Monday evening brought unique concerns, but one main message seemed to persist throughout: Auburn needs to work on its image in some places.

From a run-down park and troublesome trees, to the dilapidated homes left by absentee landlords, residents aired their grievances to Mayor Michael Quill during his first-ever town hall meeting.

The meeting was meant to serve as an open forum through which citizens could bring up questions and problems with Quill in person.

A good portion of those in attendance took issue with the condition of Jack Clifford Memorial Park on Mary Street, also known as the Y-Field. The park's historic clubhouse is falling into disrepair, they said. There are weeds growing around the playground, pine trees with overgrown limbs and other issues, according to some of the speakers.

Ormie King, a former Auburn city councilor, told Quill the city has a standard to which it holds property owners. If your home is not up to code, you are responsible to fix it, King said.

“I believe the city should do the same,” King said, referring to the park's upkeep.

The park was the topic of some discussion among residents and officials in the summer of 2007 and later in January 2008. At the time, officials estimated it would cost $80,000 to repair the clubhouse alone.

During Monday's meeting, Zinc La Douce said neighbors near the park had not heard much from the city about the park since then. La Douce also pointed out the city has recently spent efforts on and found grants for Market Street Park in the downtown area, as well as Hoopes Park on East Genesee Street.

Professional architects have also submitted an assessment of the clubhouse free of charge, he said.

“We're like put on this back burner,” La Douce said. “This park is used by volumes of people. ... It's deteriorating.”

Some attendees, like Andrew Kuczek, had multiple concerns. Kuczek said the city should collect recyclables on a weekly basis, instead of monthly. Kuczek also brought up the many houses around town that are in disrepair or poorly kept.

He could call the Code Enforcement Department every day with complaints, he said, though he chooses not to do that.

“You can walk anywhere in the city. There are properties that are just useless,” Kuczek said.

His comments were reiterated by Jim Plis, who said he lives next to a home on State Street that is so bad, “even the wild animals” don't want to live in it. Plis also questioned why the city sends fire crews to neighboring towns so regularly.

City management and city council have done a good job of keeping a steady tax rate over the last few years, Plis said. But eventually something has got to give, and one of those things might be quality of life that comes from facilities and services, he said.

“I pay city taxes because I want city services,” Plis said.

Quill engaged in some discussion with many of the speakers during the forum, though most of his time was spent listening to their comments. The meeting had a free-flowing structure, with people approaching a podium and microphone when they had something to add.

The forum was less formal than city council meetings, which include sessions when any member of the public can talk about city business. Another town-hall meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 at the Booker T. Washington Community Center.

Quill said after the meeting that he was happy with the residents and city officials who showed up, totalling about 40. Quill also said he will bring the statements and concerns to the rest of the city council.

Everyone has different ideas about what the city should be doing, but those ideas can't come to fruition if the residents aren't allowed to voice them, he said.

“People were open. They said what was on their minds,” Quill said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.