Town Council using new technology for meetings
Oct. 20—WILLIMANTIC — In an ongoing effort to improve the public's access to meetings, the Town Council has started using new technology.
A smart television was installed in the Bellingham Auditorium at town hall, where several boards meet, including the town council and board of finance.
Windham Town Manager Jim Rivers said the new recording technology is part of the town's initiative to improve technology in town.
"This is a multi-year project," he said. " We're trying to bring Windham up to speed if not surpass other towns. That's our objective is to not be behind the curve all the time."
Rivers said the new recording system costs $ 4,000 a piece and two were purchased for the town. The systems were paid for using the town's American Rescue Plan Act money, which is federal funding. Rivers said Windham's technology was "behind" for decades and noted that there are some "bugs" to work out with the new technology.
The town council meeting was broadcasted on YouTube TV on Tuesday.
Previously, it was broadcasted on Charter.
Windham Mayor Thomas DeVivo said it is not that common for people to have cable now, noting he only has cable for the internet.
" We will be on Google at some point," he said.
A link was included on the town council agendas so that people can watch the meeting, either live or after. People can not participate in the meeting via Youtube.
" It's just like the TV station," Rivers said. "It's just a different platform."
The new technology is designed to improve amplification of voices in the room.
The new technology can be used by any town group that wishes to use it.
Microphones will no longer be used during town meetings.
Instead, the television will be used to project the voices of board members and audience members.
" The citizens can speak right from their chairs, if they feel comfortable doing that," Rivers said.
The meeting on Tuesday was the first using the new technology.
Initially, the sound wasn't working but it was fixed.
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