The reasons put forth by Mars Borough Council in rejecting Seven Fields Borough's proposal for a regional police department make sense.

The plan most likely would increase police costs for Mars. In addition, Seven Fields, which now contracts with Cranberry Township for police protection, has no personnel or equipment to offer the regional plan, and because of that, Mars envisions potential problems if it relinquishes any decision-making power.

Under a regional setup involving the two municipalities, both communities presumably would have a say in how the combined department would function, and that could increasingly work against Mars' financial and public-safety interests.

To the Mars council's credit, officials left open a window by which Mars could provide police protection to Seven Fields under a purchase-of-services arrangement. The council decided to send a letter to Seven Fields officials offering to discuss police subcontracting only.

That puts the issue back in Seven Fields' court. Meanwhile, Seven Fields also has been turned down by the Adams Township supervisors regarding a regional department involving those municipalities.

In order for a regional police department to be a viable option, each municipality involved must have something to offer the arrangement as an enticement to other prospective members. Without a department, Seven Fields has nothing to offer any arrangement besides money.

Meanwhile, the money it is willing to put forth under a regional venture most likely would not be a sufficient attraction for any other municipality to want to relinquish any of its own control over the police protection currently in place.

Thus, Seven Fields faces a difficult challenge in regard to convincing anyone to embrace its idea.

Mike Fleming, Mars Council president, was correct in reflecting on the hard work of previous borough officials in establishing that town's department and helping the department evolve into the community asset that it has become.

Taking action that would erode the department as well as Mars' taxpayers' investment in police protection would not make sense.

Seven Fields officials need to reflect on the concerns expressed in the Mars and Adams rejections and either consider establishing a department for that municipality or be content with the arrangement now in place, or a similar contracting plan.

It's clear that in Mars' case, officials considered the full picture and have made a correct counteroffer.