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MonTVale Access - coming to a set near you
(by Ryan Levinsohn - July 08, 2008)
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Staff Photo By Ryan Levinsohn
The MonTVale Access Group studio is nearing completion.
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In 1991 a small group of people had a dream for Montvale to have a 24 hour/7 day a week television operation. Seventeen years later, that dream may finally come to fruition.
MonTVale Access Group, or MAG is currently on for one and a half hours a day, twice a week usually airing Montvale council meetings. The tapes must be delivered to Cablevision for airing and copies are kept at the Montvale Library.
Occasionally other programming will be broadcast, such as an information session on Lyme disease or a Red Molly concert that was moved indoors to council chambers and taped by the four cameras set up for meetings.
Don Wilson, the station manager, is trying to change all that by airing full council meetings and more broadcasts directly from the MonTVale Access Group studio located in the borough hall.
“We are way behind in getting our act together,” Wilson said. “Park Ridge and Washington Township have fully operational studios.”
The studio itself has been under construction for five years with four men originally spearheading the project. However, now only Wilson and Montvale Councilman Martin Kent are left. is an electronic engineer by trade and has experience fabricating television studios but, according to Wilson, has been busy with personal matters and business on the council.
“My problem is personnel,” Wilson said. “December was the last time me and Marty [] were able to work on it.”
acknowledged that the studio is behind and also points to lack of volunteers as reason for any delay.
“We are in a time of cuts in staffing and in general and I can’t recommend contracting work out now,” said. “This town does not run without volunteers and the same can be said about this studio.”
said however that the studio is close to completion and is hoping more community members will give their time.
Much of the equipment and set has been donated from other television channels or from local electronic manufacturing companies. Other funding comes from Cablevision or the borough.
Once the studio is ready, Wilson says that programming can run 24/7 through Cablevision on channel 78 and through Verizon on a channel to be determined.
Wilson said that he needs a volunteer with extensive audio/visual experience to help finish the studio.
Once completed not only can council meetings be shown but a newly acquired piece of equipment called Nexus will allow town and local announcements to play. Wilson even hopes to hold monthly reports from the mayor or debates between those running for council.
“It all hinges on the place getting finished,” Wilson said.
Once operational Wilson also wants for residents to come in with show ideas. “We’d consider anything, but nothing X-rated,” Wilson joked.
“I’d also like to do a co-op type thing with the high school,” said. “Bring in high school juniors and seniors to learn from it.”
There is no deadline for the completion of the studio but Wilson hopes to be up and running by the fall.
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