ADAMS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Voters in Adams Township and Mars Borough are casting ballots Tuesday on a proposal to consolidate the two municipalities into a single entity named Mars Township.
Local officials state that merging the two communities would facilitate the construction of a new library in downtown Mars, provide 24-hour police protection for Mars Borough, improve regional planning, grant access and increase assets for economic growth.
Channel 11 spoke with voters in Adams Township about the proposed merger.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Mike McGarry said. “I think that can benefit both communities. I think some people in Adams are concerned they’re going to be putting a lot of money into Mars, but we’ve been assured that Mars does not have any debt. And I think that Mars can be another Zelienople. It can be developed into a core business district for Adams.”
Voter engagement and public meetings have helped shape local opinions on the consolidation effort.
Adams Township resident Luann Tacznosky reviewed information and attended community sessions prior to voting in favor of the measure.
“I’m in favor of it, and I did vote for it. I came to one of the meetings, and I read as much as I could about it, and I feel it’s a win-win. I feel like Adams has very little or nothing to lose and I think Mars has a great deal to gain by it,” Tacznosky said.
If voters in both Adams Township and Mars Borough approve the consolidation measure, the municipal merger will take effect in 2028. If it fails in just one of the communities, it would not be able to go back in front of voters for another five years.
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