WRENTHAM - Residents should have a choice of cable TV providers in the coming months.

The town is working with Verizon on a contract that would make the utility a competitor with Comcast, the local cable company.

Selectmen this week supported the cable advisory committee's efforts to bring Verizon aboard.

"Residents will be so excited," Selectwoman Jennifer Firth said of having another cable TV company. "That is one thing residents yell at me about."

Competition may not mean lower cable TV bills, but service should change, officials say. "The best thing you can do for residents is give them a choice," said Attorney Peter Epstein, who specializes in cable TV law and represents the town.

Verizon previously approached the town but local officials weren't interested because the utility was trying to get itself exempt from the state's cable TV regulations.

"It was not favorable to the town," Firth said.

Also, Wrentham wasn't on the utility's work schedule at that time.

However, the kinks have been worked out, and Verizon again returned with a request in August.

"They have expanded their franchise area. I think people reacted well to buying their product. They're expanding pretty quickly," Epstein said.

Verizon now offers package deals that tie in not only their traditional telephone service but also cable TV and Internet use. Comcast does the same now.

Fiber optic cable has been laid in most of Wrentham, allowing for the updated services. However, some sections of town, mostly the west end, aren't expected to initially be accessible because they have a different telephone exchange - 883 out of Woonsocket, R.I. - instead of the 384 found in most of town, cable advisory Chairman Richard Bryant said.

Also, new housing developments with underground utilities are a question mark.

Verizon's Cable TV service is already in Norfolk and Franklin and other area communities. STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.