PHILLIPSTON — The town now has various external hearing aid sets available for anyone hard of hearing at public meetings.
According to Phillipston Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Flynn, the town received 24 sets of headphones and equipment manufactured by Minnesota-based Williams Sound.
“We noticed that people at Selectman’s meetings and at Town Meetings have said they have trouble hearing. They might have a disability or it happens to lots of us,” said Flynn.
Phillipston received three types of equipment, all used to assist in hearing, including a set that connects to the town’s public address system.
The equipment was made available by a grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging, as well as Phillipston’s Council on Aging.
“Not long after this year’s Town Meeting, there was a notice for a matching grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging saying they would pay $3 for every $1 we contributed,” said Flynn.
The equipment can be used at various public meetings at Town Hall, Flynn said, including selectmen’s meetings, annual Town Meetings and other various meetings throughout the year.
Flynn said the town does not record or broadcast their public meetings but the idea has been discussed.
“We have talked about broadcasting them — we are still looking at that and will have to acquire some other equipment to make that happen,” he said.