After four years of trying to decide if a merger or consolidation of five municipalities is feasible, the Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee has decided not to answer that question specifically.

In its final report, the committee will make no recommendations to Farrell, Sharon, Hermitage, Sharpsville and Wheatland officials and residents on whether they should merge or consolidate.

But, the committee members agreed Thursday that their work could eventually benefit the communities and encouraged greater cooperation among their governing bodies.

The 16 of the 25 committee members who attended the meeting agreed to:

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