A report showing Middlesex is more than $160,000 behind in its employee pension contributions was the tipping point that pushed supervisors to disband the police department last week.

"It was just a matter of economics, the complete economics of the township," said Supervisor Alonzo Van Atta.

Supervisors voted 2-0 last Thursday to disband the police department, despite efforts to come up with alternative cost-saving measures and the protests of some residents. Supervisor John Grau abstained.

The department will be disbanded at the first of the year. Police calls will be answered by either the state police or referred to neighboring departments.

The difficulty in funding the $550,000 police force came to light in May when budget concerns prompted the supervisors to cut the police chief's job. Chief Edward Brooks became a patrolman, a move that was expected to free $10,000 to $20,000.

By late August, an ad hoc committee assembled by the board recommended more action. The roadwork -- an estimated $300,000 for 2006 -- that caused the money crunch that led to the elimination of the chief's position would require either reduced services or increased taxes or borrowing, the committee said.

The township recently borrowed $1 million and already has the highest property tax rate in the county at 18 mills.

The supervisors sought to cut costs with a contract compromise by downsizing the force of six full-time officers and one part-timer or by using more part-timers. The officers, however, would not agree to reopen the contract.

The supervisors adopted a preliminary 2006 budget containing funds for the police department. But then the report by an actuary showed the shortfall in the township's pension investment schedule up to January 2005.