Lower Nazareth Township Supervisors are having second thoughts about their participation in the Colonial Regional Police Department, which protects residents in Bath Borough, Hanover and Lower Nazareth townships. They've rejected a $3.39 million 2014 police budget, which operates as a notice of intent to withdraw in a year if the problems remain unresolved.

It's a money problem.

"We're not going to increase taxes to pay for police services," stated Lower Nazareth Chair Eric Nagle during a December meeting of the police commission.

Police officers, led by Officer Andrew Laudenslager, asked supervisors to make a decision and questioned whether Township Manager Timm Tenges is qualified to perform a study, a point that Tenges disputed, calling the matter a budgetary item.

Tenges also promised to make his work, which he expects to finish in a few weeks, available to the public.

Laudenslager made a pitch for Colonial Regional, noting it is one of only 93 departments accredited throughout the state.

"You are holding every police officer hostage over your unknown plans," he said.

Nagle told Laudenslager that he had no reason to worry.

"Whatever we decide, you're not going to lose your job," he predicted, noting that a new police force would need its own officers. He also agreed that Colonial Regional Police provide excellent coverage.

"They are the best in the state as far as I'm concerned; that's not the issue," Nagle said.

He also reminded officers that, several years ago, Hanover Township had threatened to withdraw.

"I think we're even at this point," he said.

One supervisor expressed concern over the tack Nagle is taking.

"I don't want to lose police service," Martin Boucher said.

Nagle assured him that won't happen. He advised that, despite the notice of intent to withdraw, the township will continue to be protected by Colonial Regional until Jan. 1, 2015.