SPENCER — The town of Spencer is kicking off a community connection program for next year this Sunday, Dec. 15, with the first Walk and Talk gathering.

The idea came out of a meeting between a group of neighbors and town officials in November and the concept, according to the town, is “simple yet powerful.”

Neighbors are invited to walk along with town representatives, both to identify opportunities for improvements and to build rapport and connections.

The inaugural Walk and Talk will step off at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday and will start at the Library Park gazebo and follow a predetermined route.

“Anyone interested in taking a walk around with a few elected officials and community members is welcome to join,” Town Manager Peter Franzese said at the recent board of aldermen meeting. “People will just have an opportunity to identify any issues we need to be aware of or things to share or positive feedback or whatever they wish. It’s a walking meeting around the neighborhood and a chance to build relationships and meet your neighbors.”

Franzese said the town plans to hold more of these Walk and Talk evens in the coming year, making them an ongoing tradition.

Future events may be on weekday evenings when daylight allows, but Mayor Jonathan Williams hoped to keep the conversation going with the neighborhood group and so put this first one together as soon as they could. He and board members that are available will facilitate this one.

In addition, Mayor Pro Tempore Patti Seacrest noted that there have been communications from some parents seeking additional support from the board for the schools and there is a plan to schedule a discussion in the early part of 2025.

“So parents if you have some concerns or there are things you would like to see us as a board give some extra effort or attention to, please let us know, and put it in writing in a letter or an email, so we can keep track of the concerns and the people to follow up with,” she said.