EVANS CITY — While a contract has been signed, the Evans City and Seven Fields road crews are not merging.

That’s the word from Lee Dyer, Evans City Council President, who wants to ensure the public that the borough’s road and maintenance crew will continue to concentrate on the borough.

Dyer explained that the contract is a mutual aid agreement to allow the two departments to help one another in emergencies. Dyer said he expects the contract to be used once or twice per year or less.

“It’s in case of a serious situation, and you’re overwhelmed,” he said.

Dyer used as an example the flood in 2004, when the borough was inundated with water as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan. He said victims disposed of carpets, furniture and other large items in Dumpsters placed around town.

“If we had had the plan in effect, we may have asked Seven Fields to come help remove the Dumpsters,” Dyer said.

He said if one borough gets behind in plowing snow and the other is caught up, they may use one another’s services.

“But each borough has the opportunity to say no,” Dyer said.

He said the agreement allows it to be canceled by either borough with a 30-day notice. The contract is for two years.

“This is a spirit of agreement between two neighbors,” Dyer said.

“If you have a neighbor and they need help, you go help them. It’s as simple as that.”

Tom Smith, Seven Fields borough manager, confirmed that the contract is for serious events only.

“The merger of the police department is a service being provided,” Smith said. “This is almost like an insurance plan or backup plan.

He said the other borough’s public works workers would only be used in a major weather event, water main break, or other serious circumstance.

“This is government being proactive,” Smith said, “especially small municipalities that have limited resources both financially and employee-wise.”

The contract, which has been discussed at previous meetings, was approved by the Evans City council on Sept. 7.