Adams Township Board Expands Outreach Ahead of Mars Merger Vote

Township supervisors are expanding their outreach to homeowners associations, business owners and residents ahead of the Nov. 3 vote on a proposed merger with Mars Borough.

Supervisor Russ Ford called the final stretch “merger mania” in an interview with The 228 Times. Ford said he and Township Manager Mike Tylka want to meet with as many groups as possible so voters understand the proposal before casting their ballots.

“I just want to make sure that we did everything we said we were going to do from back in January and be transparent and follow the playbook we put in order,” Ford said.

Ford said Tylka has met with one homeowner’s association and that he plans to meet with a group of association presidents Sept. 21. The township and borough have scheduled two meetings with local business owners, he said. Ford also pointed to additional merger meetings and outreach at community events.

At Monday’s supervisors meeting, officials pointed to an information booth at the Rich-Mar Rotary Apple Fest on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ford said he expects someone from Mars Borough to handle outreach there and described the booth as an opportunity to distribute information and answer questions. He said Tylka spoke with about 25 people at a recent car cruise.

The board also highlighted an Oct. 1 public meeting about the merger. Ford said he intends to revisit the proposal’s financial projections in more detail there, including the proposed reduction in Mars Borough taxes. “I felt after that meeting, we need to make sure everybody realizes and understands” the financial implications, he said.

Supervisors introduced “Vote Yes on the Merger” yard signs at Monday’s meeting. Ford estimated that about 750 signs have been prepared and said he expects them to prompt questions from residents who have not followed the proposal closely. He said volunteers, rather than township employees, will place the signs.

Ford noted that he has spoken with residents who favor the merger and others who are skeptical. His aim, he said, is for voters on either side to have the information they need. “Just make sure you go in there and hit the lever knowing all the facts,” he said.

The merger can pass only if a majority of voters in both Adams Township and Mars Borough approve it Nov. 3.

In other business, the township solicitor reported that a homeowners association at Three Acres withdrew its challenge to a previously approved farm-to-table food market. According to the solicitor’s report, the approval remains in place.

Supervisors unanimously approved a $1,273.73 change order related to the traffic signal at Route 228 and Marland, bringing the project total to $601,034.84. Ford said the project has grant funding and that escrow money supplied by Adams Corners developer Ray Nelson would be used if the grant is exhausted. The township reported that the work has begun and is expected to take roughly one to three weeks.

The board also unanimously accepted Patrolman Corey Novak’s resignation and approved hiring Collin Lawson as a patrolman. Supervisors approved a commitment letter supporting a grant-funded Breakneck Creek restoration project, an HVAC payment application and the municipality’s 2027 pension obligation certification.

During public comment, Bob Baillie sought the board’s support for starting a Lions Club chapter in Adams Township. Supervisors expressed support but took no formal vote. The board set trick-or-treat hours for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.