MARS — Members of borough council last week clarified their dealings with a developer of a subdivision in neighboring Adams Township.

Residents approached borough council Monday night to ask about an agreement to supply water to the Howells plan, an eight-lot subdivision in Adams Township.

Sheffler & Co. project manager and senior engineer Allan Beechey recently reported to township supervisors that he had obtained a letter documenting the borough’s willingness to supply water to the lots.

Responding to residents Monday, council President Mike Fleming clarified the borough hasn’t entered into an agreement with the project managers.

“It was a letter of intent,” Fleming said. “We still have yet to have (a terms and conditions) conversation.”

Fleming added the letter is available to the public on the borough’s website. Any agreement is “pending mutually agreed upon terms and conditions.”

The preliminary and final subdivision plans were approved by Adams Township supervisors at their July 22 meeting. Residents asked if the borough’s refusal to supply water would stop a development from being built.

“That in itself might not stop them,” Fleming said.

The developers could apply for applications to build wells. The borough also can’t stop contractors from accessing public streets, although it could hold developers responsible for the conditions of the roads. Fleming added that while Adams Township has a say over whether the subdivision develops, Mars determines whether to supply water to lots.

“If it was going to happen anyhow, why would we not try to get it as user-friendly to our community ... as we can?” Fleming asked. “That discussion revolves around the terms and conditions.”

No discussion regarding terms and conditions had taken place at the time of Monday’s meeting.