Valencia residents have begun discussing the possibility of merging with Adams Township in recent months as concerns grow about the expansion of St. Barnabas Health System — and the borough’s ability to enforce future ordinances over corporate interests.

Fred Preik, a former Valencia council member, has requested approval to form a citizen’s committee to evaluate the borough’s finances as a first step in considering a merger, gathering 34 signatures in support of his proposal.

“There are a number of us who believe that we’ll ultimately end up being part of Adams Township,” Preik said.

Valencia is one of the smaller municipalities in Butler County, made up of less than 300 acres, much of which is owned by St. Barnabas. The Census Bureau estimates Valencia’s population is around 890 residents.

The company’s steady expansion has led Valencia to begin considering zoning ordinances for the first time in the borough’s history.

The council had approved a motion to pursue plans for new zoning ordinances over the summer, hiring Jackson Township manager Chris Rearick to help them.

But Preik believes that even if the borough approves and enacts a fleshed out zoning plan, council will not be able to enforce it should St. Barnabas challenge it in court.

“We have limited funds to defend an ordinance,” said Preik. “We can’t enforce zoning against St. Barnabas.”

The company currently owns 45 percent — or around 112 acres — of the 251-acre borough, according to data collected by Shanon McKenna, Valencia council member.

“According to our tax record, they pay around 81 percent of the (property) tax revenue we receive,” he said.

McKenna’s concerns center around the expansion of St. Barnabas developments, and the example of other townships that have seen heavy development.

And while he has not taken an official stand on the merger issue, he is concerned about St. Barnabas’s expanding influence and development in their community without ordinances in place to represent Valencia residents’ interests.

“I think the closest thing you could compare to an entity owning a lot of land is Seven Fields,” he said.

A spokesman for St. Barnabas said they were not aware of the borough’s merger considerations as both these and the zoning ordinances have not yet been drawn up.

St. Barnabas has no history of legal action or borough bullying in Valencia, said McKenna, and there is little enmity toward the company from the community residents.

“They’ve been good neighbors to me,” said McKenna at a town meeting earlier this month.

Additionally, Preik, who began the petition, is one of the first to admit that St. Barnabas’ development has been good for his property value.

Nonetheless, the company’s expanding influence through ownership of nearly half the community has sparked concerns in the borough about residents losing their voice in Valencia.

Preik laid out his proposal at the Valencia council meeting earlier this month, requesting 90 days to form a committee and look into the borough’s finances.

He also asked for the council to wait until those 90 days are up to move forward on zoning.

Numerous people also in attendance voiced support for Preik’s plan and for the merger with Adams Township.

“I am intending to assemble a three- to five-member body, including one member from the council,” Preik said.

Proving that Valencia is financially stable would be an important part of negotiating a merger with Adams, and Preik believes they will find the borough is in great shape for a merger.

“We’re not destitute,” he said. “We have no public debt.”

The council agreed that a look at the borough’s finances would be welcome, though they are holding off on making anything official until more research can be done about what this would entail. “I think it’s great,” said McKenna. “I think we’re in a good position to do financial forecasting.”

However, the council still had concerns about delaying the zoning for 90 days as well as the plan to merge with Adams.

“I don’t see any reason we don’t pursue a parallel path,” said Councilmember Rob Vigue, referring to moving forward on zoning as the committee forms and begins its analyses.

“To be appealing, you may want to have zoning in place to show you have a direction for your community,” said McKenna, referring to recommendations by Chris Rearick. “They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

But Preik thought it would be a waste of time and effort.

‘We’re only asking you to wait 90 days,” he said, adding that he is not against zoning but wants to see something passed that is enforceable.

“I personally benefit from zoning,” he said, and “(Adams) has a reputation for defending their ordinances.”

Supporters of the merger believe Adams Township can fend off challenges from companies because it is big, giving the township much more power than a municipality like Valencia.

“What if Adams raises taxes?” asked Councilmember Brian Himmelstein.

“Would St. Barnabas want to go to Adams?” asked McKenna.

Others raised the possibility that in the merger, the people of Valencia may end up losing their voice and be beholden to others in Adams Township whose interests do not align with those in Valencia.

Preik and others defended Adams Township, citing many years of responsible management as well as bringing up the growing problems of a shrinking borough, as St. Barnabas continues to expand its operations.

Preik was sure to specify that he is still gathering evidence before explicitly calling for a referendum on the merger.

As the night wore on the council came to a decision to unofficially grant Preik’s request pending more research and legal consultation.

If they make it official, Preik will have 90 days to form a committee, analyze the finances, and provide the borough with its findings.

Then they may choose whether to move forward with a possible merger.

“I thank you for recognizing the 90 days,” said Preik addressing the council. “The faster we can move on this the faster we can move on to zoning.”