Mars, Adams Township residents get first glimpse of merger proposal
ADAMS TWP — Nearly 300 residents of Adams Township and Mars borough gathered Thursday night, Jan. 22, at Twelve Oaks Mansion for their first chance to hear from public officials and express their opinions on a proposed merger between the two municipalities.
“What we want to accomplish tonight, really, is to get the information that we currently have put together and share it with you folks so that each and every one of you can come to your own conclusion on whether you feel that this is a good idea,” said Mars Councilman G. Michael Fleming.
“We unanimously believe that tonight is a very monumental night in our community,” said Adams Township Supervisor Russell Ford.
According to Ford, discussions regarding a merger between Adams Township and Mars began in November. By then, both sides were having difficulties regarding a planned library and discovery center in downtown Mars, which Adams Township was assisting in the financing for.
“Our plan all along was to keep the library in the town of Mars,” Ford said. “We came to the point that wasn’t going to be fiscally possible for both communities. We thought the new library might be dead. And then two days later, I called Mike and said, ‘Why don't we just merge together and become one community?’”
In a PowerPoint presentation, officials from both municipalities outlined how officials say residents would benefit from a potential merger.
Of note, it was stated Mars would receive 24/7 police coverage — something it does not currently have. The Mars officers would be added to Adams Township’s force. The combined township would have the ability to apply for larger grants, as well as access to each other’s parks and facilities.
Officials stated no employees of either municipality would lose their job, and all employees of Mars would receive offers to work at the merged township if the merger went ahead.
In addition, Ford stated the planned library and discovery center was still on track to be built on Grand Avenue in downtown Mars at the site of the former Mars Bank building.
“If this passes Nov. 3, then in 2027 there will be a shovel in the ground in the old Mars Bank building for a brand-new community library,” Ford said.
If the ballot measure is approved by residents of both municipalities in this November’s general election, then the target date of the consummation of the merger would be Jan. 1, 2028.
If the merger were to go through, some aspects of life would remain the same for residents: Fire and emergency services would be provided by the same agencies and mailing addresses would not change, according to officials.
During the meeting, officials revealed that in their talks with Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, Mars and Adams initially considered adding Valencia and Callery into their discussions. They ultimately decided against it.
“There are a lot of good reasons why we make sense and, at this point in time, Valencia and Callery do not,” Ford said.
“Mars is 1 square mile, almost dead-center of 23 square miles of Adams Township, so it’s like a natural coming together,” Fleming said. “It would be slightly different to expand the border to what Callery or Valencia has.”
One key element of the proposed merger presented during the meeting was the potential tax savings for Mars residents.
Representatives of both municipalities promised if the merger were to go through, the real estate tax rate for Mars residents would drop from the current 25.33 mills to 3.5 mills, matching the current Adams Township rate. In addition, Mars residents would no longer have to pay a fire, EMS or library tax.
According to Ford, the cost savings from the elimination of redundancies would more than make up for the loss of tax revenue. In Thursday night’s presentation, using Mars’ 2026 budget as a baseline, it was estimated the merger would shave off $329,137 in expenses, more than offsetting the $270,092 the combined township would be losing in tax revenue.
“We are going to provide everyone in this community with 24/7 police, more parks and rec, more code enforcement and we’re going to provide you with a full-fledged road crew,” Ford said. “We’re going to do all that and we’re going to lower your taxes.”
Although many residents had questions about logistics, the mood among residents was largely positive, with many expressing support for the proposed merger.
Harmony Hodges, who lives in Mars, believes a merger would lead to improvements in police and other services in her area. During the meeting, she related some negative experiences regarding police service and water billing, including an experience where she was unable to receive service from the Mars Police Department because it does not operate on a 24/7 schedule.
Even before Thursday night’s meeting, the topic on the mind of most residents was what the name of the newly merged township would be.
Toward the end of the public hearing, Ford asked residents for input on what the name should be. A large number of them — including some Adams Township residents — shouted the word “Mars” in unison.
The next public hearing regarding the merger is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at a venue yet to be determined. Unlike the one held Thursday night, the second meeting will feature personnel from the DCED.
Adams Township has also created a comment section on the “merger” section of their website for residents of either municipality who want to leave their thoughts or questions with officials involved with the process.
