FOXBORO - Selectmen have denied Comcast's license renewal application - for now - in an apparent move to push the cable TV provider to lend more support to Foxboro Cable Access.

Comcast wants to trim its financial support for Foxboro Cable Access while ousting the local programmer from its longtime offices in the Comcast building.

The town's cable television advisory committee recommended denial of Comcast's license application, at least for the time being.

The "preliminary denial" does not prevent Comcast from continuing to provide cable services to its 5,400 local customers.

It may, however, help to move the company to provide a better deal for Foxboro Cable Access, which will likely have to start paying rent and utilities when it finds a new home, said Lynn Foell, chairman of the committee. "You don't boot someone out of their quarters and say, by the way, we're reducing your revenue," Foell said. "You don't do that without expecting some kind of backlash."

He said the committee is looking for a half-percent increase in Comcast's revenue to the local programmer.

"We've gone as far as we can to accommodate them," Foell said.

The vote to deny Comcast's license application was unanimous among the five selectmen.

Comcast's license expired on Nov. 14, but the board's action allows the company to continue to provide services while the town and the company try to agree to terms for a new license.