In a move that could reshape local government along the Route 228 corridor, officials from Adams Township and Mars Borough have unanimously approved resolutions to formally explore a potential municipal merger.
The decision follows several weeks of preliminary discussions between Russ Ford, chairman of the Adams Township Board of Supervisors, and Mike Fleming, president of Mars Borough Council. Both leaders emphasized that the vote does not approve a merger itself, but rather begins a public, transparent process that will ultimately be decided by voters.
“We didn’t want rumors flying around Mars and Adams,” Ford said. “This is about controlling the narrative, being transparent, and letting residents know that conversations have begun — nothing more and nothing less.”
A shared history, growing collaboration
Ford and Fleming pointed to a long-standing working relationship between the two municipalities, which already cooperate on several key services, including fire protection, ambulance service, sewer authority operations and aspects of infrastructure planning.
“It’s complicated sometimes because we’re two separate entities with two governing bodies,” Fleming said. “But there’s already a strong foundation. This is about asking whether we can do even better by working as one.”
Potential benefits for residents
While officials stressed that the process is still in its earliest stages, both leaders outlined potential benefits if a merger were eventually approved, including enhanced police coverage, operational efficiencies, infrastructure improvements, and long-term financial stability.
Not driven by crisis, but by opportunity
Both officials emphasized that neither municipality is facing financial distress and described the effort as a proactive step toward long-term community strength and sustainability.
What happens next
At their respective reorganization meetings, both governing bodies approved identical resolutions to explore the merger. In Adams Township, Supervisor Ron Shemela made the motion, which was seconded by David Goodworth and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors. In Mars Borough, Brad Price made the motion, John McWilliams seconded it, and Mars Borough Council voted unanimously in favor.
The process now moves into a public phase, guided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and will include public meetings, further due diligence, and a voter referendum likely in November.
Public meeting scheduled
A tentative public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Twelve Oaks Mansion, located at 160 Scharberry Lane, Mars, PA 16047. Meeting details and RSVP information will be announced soon.
The meeting will give residents of both Adams Township and Mars Borough an opportunity to learn more about the proposed merger process, hear directly from municipal leaders, and ask questions before any further steps are taken.
Officials cautioned that this may be the first of several public meetings and that not all questions may be answered immediately, as additional due diligence will continue in the months ahead.