The Vermont Public Service Board has dismissed a case involving a long-running dispute between Comcast and the Regional Educational Technology Network (RETN) over how public-access money was being spent in Chittenden County.

The case was closed after the PSB accepted a settlement agreement between the two parties. That settlement agreement was filed with the board in late September and finally approved Thursday.

Comcast and RETN issued the following joint statement this afternoon:

“Comcast and RETN have signed a five-year agreement that ensures quality educational access programming and related services will be provided to the towns of Burlington, Charlotte, Essex, Essex Junction, Ferrisburgh, Hinesburg, St. George, Shelburne, South Burlington, Vergennes, Waltham, Williston, and Winooski. As a result, both parties requested that the Vermont Public Service Board dismiss Docket #7497, which it has done.”

In a separate statement, RETN officials said they were glad that the dispute, which began in January, had come to an end.

"We are pleased to have secured full funding for the programming andservices we provide our communities and cable subscribers,” said RETNspokesperson Doug Dunbebin. “We now look to our statewide association,the Vermont Access Network, and offer our full support as it works toresolve important issues facing public, educational and governmentaccess television in Vermont.”