A town-wide trash removal program, a town senior center, and public bathrooms in Onset. These were some of the more popular ideas put forward by residents at a public hearing on community needs held by the Community and Economic Development Authority Wednesday.

The hearing was a way to garner public input for CEDA's community development strategy and plan this year's Community Development Block Grant Mini-Entitlement grant application, its main project funding source.

CEDA Director Sal Pina said that they are required to hold a public strategy hearing once every three years.

"We're hoping to get a list of priorities to put in our strategy," Pina said. "The more people that can be involved up front, the better."

Before soliciting input from the dozen residents who attended the meeting, Pina discussed some of the goals and objectives of CEDA and spoke about some of the plans the town is already working on.

"We've done a lot of work, what we need to do is take action," Pina said.

When Pina asked for ideas from those in attendance, they included subjects that have been discussed for years, such as the Tremont Nail Factory, and new outside-the-box ideas, such as an underground parking lot in Onset.

Pina said CEDA will modify its development strategy and hold another public hearing prior to February 2016, when its grant application is due.