AUBURN – It’s a different day in Auburn, Mayor John Jenkins told Ward 2 residents Monday.

“That’s why we’re here, to bring new transparency to government,” Jenkins said. “We are doing all we can to stay very clear, and keep everything above board. What you see with us is what you get.”

Roughly 40 people showed up to the Park Avenue School Cafeteria to meet with Jenkins and the City Council and staff. It’s the fourth of five neighborhood ward meetings Jenkins has called in an effort to get residents more involved. The last meeting is scheduled April 9 at the Ward 1 Washburn School.

City Councilor Ellen Peters pitched involvement in the city’s comprehensive plan. She’s leading a volunteer drive to form a committee to write land use, planning and development plans in the next 10 years. The last effort 13 years ago drew 30 people. So far, 21 people have volunteered.

But Judy Simpson of Summer Street said there is an inherent distrust among residents. The last plan didn’t call for a retail shopping area where Wal-Mart stands today, but city leaders overruled the plan and built it anyway, she said.

“Why should we volunteer our time if the city’s not going to listen to anything we say?” she asked. “You’re just going to do what the developers want.”

Priscilla Miller of Summer Street agreed with Simpson. The city shouldn’t spend money luring big box developers. Councilors need to make sure the city stays affordable, she said.

“I want you on the comprehensive plan committee,” Peters said. “That’s the kind of attitude we need. We want a diversity of opinions.”

Jenkins agreed.

“That’s why we’re here tonight, to get citizens back in government,” he said.

Monday’s meeting looked like it was going to turn into an evening-long discussion of trash collection – resurrecting the city’ spring cleanup program, boosting recycling and giving residents something to do with their leaf and lawn clippings.

Jenkins said the program will be back, hopefully this spring.

“But it won’t be as you’ve known it in the past,” he said. He’s trying to find a way to make the program pay for itself – possibly selling some of the spring cleanup refuse.

Debbie Gellatly of Granite Street said she’d even consider pay-per-bag trash collections. Residents could pay for special bags to have their trash collected, and that might boost recycling.

But Onile Legasse of Summer Street said that doesn’t seem fair.

“I already pay my property taxes to have my trash collected,” he said. “Why should I have to pay twice?”

Wendy Brown of Fern Street wanted the city to consider doing away with regular half-days on Wednesdays in the Auburn schools. A former Auburn student herself, she used to appreciate the short days.

“But it’s a lot different as a parent,” she said. Working parents need to make sure they have regular child care for that one day.

“I really hope somebody will take a look at those,” she said.

School Superintendent Barbara Eretzian said the School Committee is planning to review those during this year’s budget discussions.