Lake Como police force to be axed after voters reject budget proposal

Lake Como voters Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a budget referendum that would have raised municipal taxes by more than 22 percent and kept the police department in tact.

$2.4 million was needed to keep the 10-member force in operation. The proposal exceeded the state's 2 percent tax cap and would have cost average homeowners about $700 more in municipal taxes.

Belmar, which already provides many services to Lake Como, is expected to takeover police coverage.

Contracting out for police services would cost Lake Como about $914,000.