The study was funded by a grant through the Department of Community and Economic Development, Brian Hayden of the agency’s Pittsburgh office said.

“While remain neutral on the outcome, we certainly support this process,” Hayden said.

If the proposal is voted down, Kugler said leaders in both towns still need to find ways to work together and communicate for generations to come.

For some township residents like Carl Hoover, the whole idea still has many “open-ended” questions that need answered.

“Just by combining us is not going to fix the problems,” he said.

“The reason the people are leaving is for the jobs,” Hoover added. “The industry in this area has gone downhill so far so fast.”

Hoover said officials still need to take a second look at how things would be combined and how they would jointly operate.

An I-80 toll booth placed near the towns also could drive future business away, he said.

Informational sessions are also planned Sept. 30 and Oct. 29 in the West Middlesex High School cafeteria.

Additional information is also available online at Mercer County Regional Planning Commission’s Web site at http://www.mcrpc.com.