Pennsylvania is comprised of more than 2,560 municipalities, consisting of cities, boroughs, and townships. Of these, there are more than 950 boroughs.
More than 800 municipalities have less than 5000 residents. Many struggle to meet the mandates of the state in providing their residents services, due to a limited tax base, or a change in economic fortunes.
In a recent story about West Easton, found in the Express-Times, the idea of a merger with an adjoining municipality was suggested by a former councilman, Tom Nodoline. He stated he doesn’t know why we don’t merge with Glendon Borough, or Wilson Borough.
Having given up on West Easton having its own Police Department when he served on Council, he’s now given up on West Easton entirely. Thankfully, those of us now serving our borough don’t surrender so easily.
I’ll explain to Mr. Nodoline why West Easton shouldn’t merge with an adjoining community. I’ll try to keep it simple.
On its face, a merger of municipalities may sound like an easy endeavor, and a good idea. Increase the number of residents, and land mass. Consolidate services, such as fire and police protection. Increase the tax base. The “bigger is better” theory. It would seem a good way to generate money and solve budget problems.
Then, why is it all the municipalities with budget problems aren’t scrambling to merge?
Look closer, and it has pitfalls, which is why community mergers don’t often occur in Pennsylvania. Adjoining municipalites seldom compare equally in assets, services, tax base, or financial wellness.
Most often, it’s the leaders of two adjoining communities, who are both in financial trouble, that will suggest a merge, hoping it will resolve those financial problems.
What becomes apparent, after a pre-merge study is conducted ($200,000 is provided by the state to only one municipality for the study), is the merge would only create a larger municipality with the same financial problems. Two bads, don’t make one good.
The vast majority of merger discussions don’t make it to a vote, as community residents, from one or both communities, often make it clear they won’t support it.
Only 14 municipal mergers or consolidations took place since 1991, state records show. Voters rejected another 17 attempts that actually made it to a referendum vote.
In a merger, one municipality essentially takes over another (or more than one) municipality. All involved municipalities are terminated, save for the one assuming jurisdiction over the others. While there is no limit on the number of adjoining municipalities that can be merged, there has never been more than two that merged at the same time in the history of Pennsylvania.
In an example of a successful merger, Clearfield County’s Lumber City Borough merged into the Township of Ferguson in 2013. Lumber City no longer exists as a municipality. Ferguson Township now includes—and governs—what was formerly Lumber City.
The most recent failed merger attempt was between Wallaceton Borough and Boggs Township. Wallaceton voters shot down the merger in this past November vote, despite Boggs Township voting for approval. Since one community wasn’t agreeable, the merger referendum was defeated and another attempt can’t be made for 5 years.
Here’s why a merger is a bad idea for West Easton, a community not in financial trouble. Also, why most attempts by other communities in Pennsylvania to merge, end up in failure.
Residents from the community being absorbed often don’t favor the loss of identity, and history. They fear their own close-knit community will be forgotten, or that elected representatives won’t address the needs of their area with much concern. Residents are more willing to pay higher taxes, than they are in giving up their independence and identity.
Residents from a community that is self-supporting don’t want to take on debt, or see a tax increase by having to provide services or needed improvements to the absorbed community they believe will be a reason for needing to raise taxes.
In the case of Glendon Borough, they don’t have their own Fire Department, or a Police Department. They contract with Williams Township for fire services, and rely on State Police for protection. Currently they are seeking a contract for snow plowing services. They operate on a small budget due to a small tax base.
With sincere admiration toward them in meeting the requirements to remain viable operating on that small budget, Councilpersons take on road maintenance, and other duties to save money.
A merger would mean West Easton providing both fire and police protection, as well as the need to find additional employees and equipment for road and property maintenance, plowing, and police personnel, while addressing the cost for any capital improvements, or repairs needed.
These factors would undoubtedly cause a tax increase for all residents of both communities, despite our tax rates being relatively the same at the moment.
As for merging with Wilson Borough, it would undoubtedly have West Easton residents seeing an immediate tax increase, considering Wilson Borough’s millage is 23.5 mills, compared with our 11.7 mills.
Also, the $2.3 million, that we’ve worked so hard to build up since 2016 for emergencies, would be handed over to Wilson, likely used to pay down any debt they may have.
The iceberg of merging, that can be seen above the water, is enough to sink any suggestion of it. Under the surface are many more issues that would have to be dealt with.
- Any existing contracts either community may have.
- How to furlough duplicate employees (Solicitor, Borough Manager, Clerks, etc.).
- Which employees will be retained and their pay scale.
- Assuming responsibility for matters in litigation.
- Representation of the absorbed community on Council.
- Sale, or retention of borough assets, including equipment, buildings, and land.
- Ordinance and Zoning conflicts.
- New millage rate.
- Grant and/or escrow monies being held.
- Unfinished developments or community projects.
Personally, I see no benefit for West Easton to merge with any adjoining community at this time. We’ve worked too hard to reach the point where our independence isn’t at jeopardy, despite the cries of, “Bankruptcy!” so wrongly predicted, by a few with an axe to grind.
A merger would not benefit West Easton residents, as I’m certain the more intelligent among you will agree.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
