The decision on whether to reduce the Adams Township board of supervisors from five to three members appears to be in the voters' hands — for now.

County solicitor Mike English told the county commissioners Monday that the petition seeking a voter referendum cannot be withdrawn by an individual.

“There's no law that said it could be done,” English said.

Township resident Charles Clark submitted the petition, which had 491 signatures supporting the referendum, to the county.

To be eligible for referendum consideration, a petition must have at least 5 percent of that municipality's registered voters. In Adams, where there are 8,854 voters, that number is 442.

Clark later expressed concern about a possible legal challenge by the township as had previously happened in Center Township.

A county judge in 2013 overturned a similar referendum in Center due to supervisors' terms being cut short upon its implementation.

Clark, who arrived to the commissioners meeting Monday after the public comment portion, said in an interview he is braced for a fight with the township.

“We know it's going to be challenged,” he said.

Adams solicitor Mike Gallagher confirmed the township will move to keep the referendum off the ballot.

“I will be ready to file it in court if they proceed,” Gallagher said.

The county won't enter the fray. County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the county would not join a legal battle to keep a referendum on or off the ballot.

“It's not our job to defend it,” he said.

English agreed.

“We don't pick sides,” he said.

The commissioners, serving as the county election board, are set to vote Wednesday on placing the referendum on the Adams ballot.

Clark differs with county officials on whether he technically withdrew the petition two weeks ago.

He is researching what his options are.

Clark previously blamed the supervisors' treatment of a parent group opposing natural gas drilling near schools as the reason he circulated the petition.

At that time, he said Adams' elected officials didn't heed residents' concerns when the parent group was denied the opportunity to give a PowerPoint presentation on the dangers of drilling.