Earlier this year, after a number of contentious public meetings, Versailles council voted to replace the borough's volunteer ambulance service with a paid service from another town.

These days, the possibility of disbanding the police force and contracting those services to a neighboring town to save money is stirring just as fierce a reaction.

A budget meeting, which will likely address the police issue, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers.

While the potential dissolution of the police department is in the exploratory stages, council meetings have again become punctuated with shouts, accusations, calls for council members' resignations. At one point, some residents were removed from meetings for disorderly conduct.

But council members in favor of considering the action are not deterred.

"We're doing this for the betterment of the borough and to try to keep ourselves solvent,'' said council President Pat Brown.

The force consists of three full-time officers: Chief William Kruczek, Sgt. Charles Roka and Patrolman Timothy Walker. There are five part-time officers. The full-timers are in the third year of a five-year contract.

Councilman Bob Stanesic, chair of the finance committee, said $260,000 of the $893,000 budget for 2008 is for the police department, which includes salaries, workers' compensation and car insurance.

As of Oct. 27, more than $250,000 was spent.

The remaining expenses will be carried over to 2009, he said, raising the police budget next year to more than $300,000.

The borough has received proposals for shared services from White Oak and McKeesport.

The White Oak proposal would cost Versailles $139,000, while McKeesport's proposal is for $159,000.

Information was requested from Elizabeth Township, but the township did not feel it had the manpower, said Councilwoman Amy Barnes.

Council has not met with officials of either town.

Council members, and husband and wife Linda and James Sheedy, who are related to Mr. Roka, oppose disbanding the force.

"Why would you break a contract to bring in another police department?" Mr. Sheedy asked.

Mrs. Sheedy said no one is addressing how the borough will pay the severance costs for two years.

Mr. Stanesic said the health insurance premiums for the three full-time officers in 2009 will cost the borough about $93,000.

"We don't have the money, and we're a small town with lots of senior citizens," he said.