Residents voted 1,444 to 1,344 against borrowing money.
The referendum would have allowed the town to borrow $3.8 million to build the station, which would have relieved police of working in a cramped, dilapidated rented space on an unpaved lot on Route 9G.
"It is what it is. We tried," Hyde Park police Chief James McKenna said, adding whatever decisions are made regarding a station in the future are in the hands of the town. "I have very little control of what happens when votes fail. It's up to the local government to decide what happens. Whatever they decide, I will support them."
The town tried to warn local residents during the week of an anonymous postcard containing "grossly inaccurate" information about the station circulating throughout the community.
Town Supervisor Pompey Delafield and Robert Kampf, chairman of the police/court committee, said the postcard included information that a referendum approval would triple property taxes.
"This is absolutely wrong," Delafield said in a release. "The town's 2008 tax rate is currently $4.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. The total annual cost of the police station bonding is calculated at $0.27 per $1,000. The citizens of Hyde Park are smart enough to know that 27 cents is not three times $4.07. To ask them to accept such a statement is an insult to their intelligence."
At the polls at Haviland Middle School Tuesday, voters had mixed responses.
"I just can't afford it," said Nancy DeGroodt, 62. "It's nothing against the police. I just can't afford it."
Tim Millard, 63, said he voted in favor, partly because he's concerned Hyde Park police will leave. The chief has said the current conditions are causing high turnover and low morale in the department.
"I'm afraid if we don't vote, we'll have to rely on the state police and sheriff's office," Millard said. "It's safer with Hyde Park police here."
Reach Christine Pizzuti at cpizzuti@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4882.
