Adams Township and Mars Borough discuss proposed merger; officials outline filing and ballot timeline

Adams Township Chairman Russell R. Ford and Mars Borough Council President Mike Fleming led a joint public meeting on Jan. 22, 2026, at Twelve Oaks Mansion in Mars to discuss a proposed merger of the two municipalities and outline next steps.

At the meeting, held before an audience of residents and municipal staff, Chairman Russell R. Ford said officials plan to file merger paperwork with the state Department of Community and Economic Development in July 2026, place the question on the Nov. 2026 ballot and, if both municipalities approve, make the merger effective Jan. 1, 2028. "There would be several meetings this year, we would file with the state in July of this year and the merger would be on the ballot in November 2026," Ford said.

Mars Borough Mayor Gregg Hartung opened the meeting and Mars Borough Council President Mike Fleming said the gathering was intended to be transparent and give residents information. Fleming noted Mars' operational budget and said two grant applications are in process.

Residents used the public-comment period to ask detailed questions about services and governance. Tim Williams asked whether Mars Borough would be dissolved; Ford said that following DCED rules the borough would be dissolved and the combined municipality would be a second-class township. "Yes the Mars Borough Council would be dissolved and the merger of Mars Borough and Adams Township would result in a 2nd Class Township," Ford said.

Several residents raised concerns about local services and finances. Renee Pomeroy, Mars Borough tax collector, warned that "revitalization talk does not mean that new businesses will move in" and that the amount of tax savings after a merger "would be dependent and in some cases would not be a lot." Resident Harmony Fredley said she worries the borough's small size limits resources and expressed concern about whether the borough could sustain 24-hour police coverage, saying a merger "would offer more services." Mars officials responded that Adams Township is current with MS4 stormwater requirements and that stormwater management is a priority for Mars.

Residents asked how ordinances and employee contracts would be handled. Tina Wilson asked if Adams Township ordinances would transfer; Chairman Ford said staff will review ordinances. Dale Ferguson asked about collective bargaining; Ford said Adams Township recently signed a five-year police contract and a three-year public-works contract and that Mars Borough currently has no collective-bargaining agreements.

On redevelopment and facilities, Ford said future redevelopment would reflect community preferences. He said the bank building identified for a proposed new library is not ADA-compliant and likely would need to be torn down, and that whether a Discovery Center would be part of the library project is undetermined. Several attendees expressed a desire to preserve the borough's character; when asked what the name of a merged municipality should be, many in attendance responded "Mars Township."

The meeting included administrative introductions of elected officials and municipal staff from both jurisdictions. Adams Township Manager Michael Tylka and municipal solicitors from both municipalities attended and were introduced at the start of the meeting.

No formal vote or motion was taken at the Jan. 22 meeting. Chairman Ford said DCED officials will attend the next merger meeting on March 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. to provide additional detail about process and requirements. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Next steps: officials plan a follow-up public meeting March 24, 2026, and additional sessions before the July filing deadline; any change in municipal status will depend on voter approval on the Nov. 2026 ballot.