By MANDY SHEETS

LAKE PLACID — Now that discussions about eliminating the police department have simmered, officials say there are no grudges over the issue.

Town Council unanimously voted to keep the Lake Placid Police Department after more than 100 residents showed up at Tuesday’s meeting to support the issue.

Mayor Tom Katsanis said he was happy to see so much civic participation, even if people weren’t supporting his idea. He and Chief Phil Williams continue to have a good working relationship, Katsanis said.

“We had lunch together the next day,” Katsanis said. “Phil Williams and all his officers are such good people. I’m glad we had closure on the issue and now can move forward.”

Williams said although he won’t be losing his department, some of his officers may leave on their own terms. A few officers submitted resumes to other departments when discussions first started, he said.

“I can’t blame them for putting their applications out there,”

Williams said. “When we first heard first about this, it seemed like it was a done deal and our department would be gone.”

Williams said he knows at least one of his officers will likely be moving to another agency.

“Losing personnel to other agencies is part of law enforcement, especially with the younger generation,” Williams said. “And I can’t say I blame them for wanting to broaden their scope.”

Williams said the meeting showed him how much support his department has from the public, and he doesn’t think any negative feelings resulted.

Highland County Sheriff Susan Benton said the sheriff’s office and police department will continue to work together.

“Chief Williams and I were friends before this mess and we are going to remain friends after,” Benton said.

As far as lowering taxes, Katsanis said he doesn’t have any immediate plans. Although Town Council members suggested annexing new residents as a way to widen the tax base, Katsanis said this is easier said than done.

“Since I’ve been mayor, no one wants to be annexed,” Katsanis said. “There is nothing I can share with them as an advantage, so they prefer to stay in the county.”

Usually cities offer residents water and sewer connections as an incentive, but Katsanis said many county residents who live just outside Lake Placid town limits already have water provided by the town. Sewer service could be an incentive for annexation, though, Katsanis said.

“We need some kind of carrot that we can use to lure them in,” Katsanis said. “Sewer service could be a way to annex in homeowners, especially with lakefront property, whose septic tanks aren’t working out for them.”

Katsanis said the best result of the meeting will likely be everyone paying more attention to frugality.

“The department heads now know that the citizens are going to look carefully at each of their budgets,” Katsanis said. “I think they will all try to operate within their budgets and be much more sensitive about asking for more money.”