For the first time, Wiscasset residents on July 7 could go online and watch live as their selectmen conducted town business.

Viewers were not able to hear the selectmen, or anyone else who spoke at the the meeting, however. An audio problem kept the coverage silent; the problem has since been fixed, Wiscasset Administrative Assistant Kathy Onorato said July 9.

The live-streaming is happening under a $250-a-month deal with Town Hall Streams, Onorato said. Plans call for Wiscasset’s committee and board meetings to air live at www.townhallstreams.com, and for the recordings to remain available on the site for viewing later.

Previously, the town contributed to Lincoln County Television (LCTV), which provided recorded, but not live coverage of Wiscasset meetings.

The next scheduled meeting is the July 21 selectmen’s meeting, which will be carried live on the Town Hall Streams website, Onorato said.

Selectmen’s Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said he hasn’t heard any feedback from residents about the new live-streaming. But he called the live coverage a step in the right direction for the town.

“I don’t even have a computer, but I still think it’s a good thing,” he said. “People can watch it live rather than after the fact.” Someone watching could leave home and come to the town office to join a discussion they are interested in, he said July 9.

“I predict that that will happen,” Rines said.