JACKSON - Township Council members have announced a long-awaited agreement with Cablevision.

At the Feb. 26 meeting, Councilman ScottMartin and Councilwoman Emily Ingram said they have been negotiating with Cablevision representatives for more than 18 months on the terms of a new contract.

Cablevision provides cable television service in Jackson. The township was initially served by Monmouth Cablevision of Wall Township beginning in the early 1980s and became part of the Cablevision service area when Cablevision bought Monmouth Cablevision from its founder.

The new 15-year deal with Cablevision was approved upon first reading at the Feb. 26 council meeting. A second reading, public hearing and final vote by the council will be held at theMarch 11meeting of the governing body. At that point the agreement will be forwarded to the state Board of Public Utilities for approval.

Martin said the agreement will provide Jackson with a dedicated channel to serve the community.

He said a decision as to how that municipal access channel will function- with live programming, taped programming and/or announcements - will probably be made by the new council in July.

"It's been a long 17months, but we have finally come to an agreement,"Martin said.

Ingram added, "Currently Jackson shares a (municipal access) channel with other area towns. I know the high school students will benefit greatly from having our own channel. We will get the opportunity to televise the various school events."

Martin said Jackson will now be able to have its own cable television community bulletin board, where not-for-profit groups will be able to promote their upcoming events. Township-sponsored eventswill also be announced on the municipal channel.

Jackson has been without a cable television agreement since December 2003, the councilman said. Despite the lack of an agreement Cablevision has continued to provide service to those residents who want cable television.

"The main stumbling block dating back to the prior administration has been the senior discount,"Martin said. "I'mhappy to say the senior discount (for qualifying lowincome seniors) will remain at 25 percent."