NORWAY – A majority of survey respondents favor preservation of the historic character of the downtown, according to results released recently.

Only 39 of 1,000 households completed the three-page questionnaire included in the June annual town meeting report.

The limited feedback has been disappointing, Town Manager David Holt said.

“That’s not good. Good would have been a thousand,” he said.

“I appreciate them filing out the survey,” he said. “All the information is helpful to some degree. But you can’t let it be your only source of information,” he said.

The survey, which was inserted on bright green paper in the report, asked residents to check which statements they agreed with. Examples included:

• The historic character of the downtown should be preserved.

• New development will not adversely impact views and aesthetics.

• Entrances to the town such as Route 26 and Fair Street should be visually appealing.

• Property owners should be able to develop their own land as they see fit.

• There is no need for government involvement in reducing energy use, etc.

Residents were also asked to check two things in Norway that are most important to them. The possibilities included access to the outdoors, character of the downtown, town recreation programs, nearby shopping opportunities, open space and fields, forests and woodlands, views and pastoral scenery, clean lakes, streams and brooks or other.

While the results were limited, Holt said it showed that the majority of residents who responded to the survey want to see land use regulations, particularly to preserve the historic character of the downtown area.

Most of the downtown is part of a National Historic District, which in its present form does not protect the buildings from alteration or even demolition.

The information will be presented to selectmen and a committee comprising selectmen, Planning Board members and the general public that was formed to look into land use issues.

Holt said he expects more interest will be generated if specific proposals are recommended.

“It seems to me we used to get folks talking about the good of the town. Now there’s more talk about what effects them,” said Holt of the changes he has seen in his more than 30 years in government.

Selectmen will get the results of the survey at their meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the town hall. They will also be reviewing a road improvement list with the Road Committee and proposed amendments to the parking ordinance on Pikes Hill Road in the downtown area.