Penn Township commissioners will decide whether to take the next step toward a proposed merger with neighboring Penn Borough.

The township commissioners are scheduled to vote on the matter at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the municipal building, 2001 Municipal Court in Harrison City. They will decide whether to begin drafting a joint agreement ordinance, township secretary and manager Mary Perez said.

Officials from Penn Borough, a 0.2-square-mile community of about 435 residents, approached the township in March 2023 about a merger. Under the proposal, the borough would be absorbed by the 30-square-mile township of about 20,000 residents, forming a unified council and sharing services such as management, public works, recreation and community development.

Both municipalities agreed to consider the plan, partnering with the state Department of Community and Economic Development to complete a study. The results were presented in late September 2024.

The communities held their first joint meeting to gather public feedback in mid-April. Emergency services, road maintenance and finances were among the key talking points raised by the dozens of residents, volunteer firefighters and local officials in attendance.

The referendum could be placed on the November ballot. That would require both municipalities to approve joint agreement ordinances — three- to four-page documents detailing high-level merger plans — by Aug. 4, according to the DCED.

Commissioner Chuck Miller said he supports the proposed merger.

“There would be no effect to our emergency services,” Miller said, “and the borough is the size of a housing development. There are commercial properties in the borough, which Penn Township needs.”

Chairman Jeff Shula and commissioners Chuck Konkus, Lisa Zaucha and Jen Ramien could not be reached for comment.

Penn Borough’s five-person council remains on board with pursuing the merger, council Vice President Ed Grant said. Grant also serves as the director of operations for Penn Township Ambulance.

“We’re going to stay the course,” Grant said. “We’re going to hopefully give an opportunity for the voters to make a decision.”

Both municipalities previously discussed hosting another public meeting with residents in August, Penn Borough Council President Randy Dreistadt said. A date and time has not been set.