NORWICH – The lifeline device that Town of Guilford Supervisor Alton B. Doyle wears around his neck gives his family, who live in Albany, the peace of mind that enables him to continue living alone.

Though Doyle purchased the approximately $800 device himself, and many others seniors have also, a small number of lifelines have been provided free-of-charge via the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging.

“It provides confidence for my family, and lets me continue to live alone,” Doyle told his fellow members of the Finance Committee last week.

Help at the push of a button could be available for more of the county’s seniors who live alone. Earlier last week, the town supervisors who make up the county’s Health and Human Services Committee passed a resolution to apply $11,000 of a recently received $21,000 state and federal windfall to the purchase of 13 lifelines. The committee also agreed to appropriate $10,000 into next year’s budget to purchase more.

The other half of the new windfall would go toward the cost of an air conditioner in the county’s Information Technology Department. Financial leaders earlier in the budgeting season directed three county agencies to split the bill for the approximately $51,000 unit.

The Area Agency on Aging has 40 lifelines that are currently on loan to seniors, and a waiting list of approximately 120 more people over 75 who need them. Moreover, the 40 units out will become obsolete by year’s end.