At a third joint public informational meeting Tuesday night, officials from Mars Borough and Adams Township unveiled details of a proposed merger agreement that would combine the two municipalities into a new entity called “Mars Township.”
“This is a monumental time for our community,” Adams Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Russ Ford told the audience.
According to the proposed agreement, Mars Borough would merge into Adams Township, with the combined municipality renamed Mars Township effective Jan. 1, 2028, if approved by voters.
If approved by voters, Mars Borough would officially cease to exist as a municipality on Jan. 1, 2028, with all governmental authority transferring to the newly renamed Mars Township.
The referendum question expected to appear on the November 2026 ballot would ask voters whether Mars Borough should merge into Adams Township and rename the combined municipality Mars Township.
Officials said both municipalities would need majority approval from voters for the merger to proceed.
Shared services already exist
Throughout the presentation, township and borough leaders stressed that the communities already work together in several areas, including fire protection, EMS, sewer infrastructure and library services.
“The only reason the sewer authority is worth $200 million is through cooperation between two communities,” Ford said.
Officials said the merger would consolidate Mars Borough’s 35 percent ownership stake in the Breakneck Creek Regional Authority under the new municipality while preserving the long-term financial stability of both communities.
Governance and staffing changes
Under the proposed structure, Mars Township would continue operating as a Pennsylvania second-class township under Adams Township’s current governmental framework.
That means the Adams Township Board of Supervisors would remain the governing body, while Mars Borough elected positions — including mayor and council seats — would eventually be eliminated.
Officials acknowledged that Mars residents would not automatically gain dedicated representation on the township board, though residents could run in future supervisor elections.
To address those concerns, leaders proposed creating a two-year advisory board to assist with the transition.
Officials also said all full-time Mars Borough administrative and public works employees would be offered positions under the merged municipality.
“There will be no job loss throughout the merger,” Ford said.
Mars police officers would also be offered positions within Adams Township’s police department.
Taxes remain central issue
Taxes again emerged as one of the dominant topics of discussion.
Officials reiterated that Adams Township’s lower tax structure would become the standard under the merged municipality.
Ford drew applause from some audience members when discussing potential tax reductions for borough residents.
“Every person who lives in the borough of Mars will get a tax decrease,” Ford said. “How many times have you heard that in government?”
Officials said Mars Borough’s unpaid taxes, liens and fines would continue to be collected after the merger.
Infrastructure and services
Officials also outlined what they described as key benefits for both municipalities if the merger is approved by voters.
For Mars residents, leaders highlighted lower taxes, 24/7 police coverage, expanded staffing in public works, administration and code enforcement, continued plans for a downtown library and broader access to Adams Township park facilities.
For Adams Township, officials pointed to the addition of downtown Mars, expanded recreational assets, additional municipal buildings and properties, water infrastructure and the consolidation of Mars Borough’s 35 percent ownership stake in the Breakneck Creek Regional Authority.
Water and sewer systems would continue operating under their current structures initially.
Officials said Mars residents would gain expanded access to Adams Township parks and recreational facilities while Adams Township would gain additional public assets and facilities located within the borough.
Ford also pointed to the township’s growing parks system and investments in infrastructure as examples of what could be expanded community-wide.
Questions from residents
Residents raised numerous questions during the public comment portion of the meeting, including concerns about post office addresses, road maintenance, grants, emergency services and the future of downtown Mars.
Officials said ZIP codes and postal addresses would remain unchanged because those systems are controlled by the U.S. Postal Service rather than local government.
Ford also said the advisory board would help prioritize future infrastructure projects throughout both communities.
Mars Borough officials discussed several upcoming paving projects, including portions of Crowe Avenue, Spring Street, Clay Avenue and Oak Street.
Questions also focused heavily on grants and economic development opportunities.
Fleming said the larger merged municipality could improve long-term opportunities for state funding and Main Street-style revitalization initiatives.
“This opens up a lot of opportunity to consistently make improvements to our downtown,” Fleming explained.
Timeline moving forward
Officials outlined several upcoming milestones in the merger process.
According to the timeline presented Tuesday:
- Adams Township will hold a public hearing June 8 at 6:30 p.m.
- Adams supervisors are expected to vote June 22 at 7 p.m.
- Mars Borough Council will hold a public hearing July 6 at 7 p.m.
- Mars Council is expected to vote July 6 at 7 p.m.
- Another joint public informational meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 28.
- If approved locally, the referendum question would appear on the November 2026 ballot.
- The merger would officially take effect Jan. 1, 2028.
Officials said additional public meetings, outreach efforts and informational materials would continue throughout the summer and fall ahead of the referendum vote.
“We are attempting to be as transparent as possible,” Ford said. “There’s no backroom deals going on. There’s no backroom conversations happening. We’re all in this together.”
Ford later summarized the overall vision for the merger by stating, “We feel like we can grow the community even better together as well.”
