Governance questions surrounding the proposed Mars Borough–Adams Township merger took center stage Monday night as Mars Borough Council approved a technical addendum requested by the Butler County Bureau of Elections.
Before the vote, Dr. Fran Haustovich, owner of Mars Animal Depot Veterinary Hospital and an Adams Township resident whose practice is located in the borough, addressed council with several questions about how the proposed merger would affect representation and decision-making.
Haustovich said he supports the financial advantages of combining Mars Borough and Adams Township but remains concerned that borough residents could have less influence over future decisions under a township board of supervisors.
Dr. Fran Haustovich distributed a handout highlighting one of the stated goals of the proposed Mars Borough–Adams Township merger before asking whether the combined municipality could realistically operate “without one side dominating.”
“I just want the shared resources to amount to something—not just talk,” Haustovich told council, urging future officials to prioritize long-discussed improvements in downtown Mars, including deteriorating curbs and sidewalks.
Among his suggestions, Haustovich proposed holding one township meeting each month at the Mars Borough Municipal Building rather than conducting all meetings at the Adams Township Municipal Building. He argued that keeping meetings in downtown Mars would help ensure borough issues remain visible to elected officials.
Mars Borough Council President Mike Fleming listens as Dr. Frank Haustovich raises questions about governance, representation and future meeting locations during Monday night’s discussion of the proposed merger with Adams Township.
Council members responded that the purpose of the merger is to improve efficiency and service delivery rather than shift political power. They also noted that borough residents would remain eligible to seek election to the future township board of supervisors.
Election Bureau requested changes
Following the public discussion, Borough Solicitor Christopher Reese explained that the proposed amendment to the merger agreement was requested by the Butler County Bureau of Elections to clarify ballot language and election procedures.
According to Reese, the addendum makes three clarifications:
- Mars Borough voters will join Adams Township voters in electing one supervisor during the 2027 election cycle.
- The offices of Mars mayor, borough council, tax collector and constable will be eliminated when the merger takes effect on Jan. 1, 2028.
- Those elected offices will be dissolved on the merger’s effective date, even if officeholders have remaining time in their terms.
Reese emphasized that the revisions do not change the substance of the merger agreement and were requested to satisfy election requirements before the referendum appears on the November ballot.
Council then voted 5-1 to approve the addendum.
Adams Township officials told The 228 Times they expect their Board of Supervisors to consider the same addendum during its meeting on Monday, July 27.
Mars Borough Secretary Chris Clutter (right) helps clean the USS Mars bell with another volunteer ahead of the borough’s Fourth of July celebration. On Monday, Mars Borough Council unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Navy Historical Society to maintain the historic bell in the borough square.
USS Mars Bell
In other business, council unanimously approved an agreement with the Navy Historical Society that allows the organization to maintain the USS Mars bell located in the borough’s town square.
The bell, which came from the Navy combat stores ship USS Mars (AFS-1), has been displayed in Mars since 2006. Under the agreement, the historical society will be responsible for its ongoing preservation and maintenance.