AUBURN – City leaders will host a summit of representatives from Auburn churches and social service organizations designed to come up with new ways to keep people warm this winter.

Then, Mayor John Jenkins will take those ideas directly to his constituents, hosting a series of ward meetings next week to discuss heating options.

“Nobody is certain just how this winter is going to play out, so we’re doing what we can now to connect people with the resources they need,” City Manager Glenn Aho said.

Auburn has invited representatives from community groups to the summit, from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday. John Kerry, director of Maine’s Office of Energy Independence and Security, will be the keynote speaker.

The goal is to see what services will be available to help pay for heating oil this winter to help Auburn residents. But city officials also hope people attending will come up with new ideas that could help.

“The Tuesday meeting, that’s the collector,” Aho said. “We’re trying to do what we can to get the best, most complete information about what we can do to benefit our residents. Then we’ll take that information directly to them.”

The city begins a series of ward meetings the next night, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Washburn School. Residents will also get the chance to talk about their heating concerns.

The ward meetings continue Aug. 21 at the Auburn Library for Ward 3 residents. They will wrap up the following week.