A Mahoning Township supervisor-elect has asked the township to conduct a speed study.

Ronald Reeser, who earlier this month won a six-year term on the board of supervisors, suggested the township could conduct a speed study on Breezewood Road.

“It would appear to me that actually we could do it ourselves,” Reeser said. “It would probably be a lot cheaper than having an engineer do it.”

However, board Chairman Bruce Steigerwalt said he found that hard to believe because other municipalities require a professional to go out and do a speed study and prepare all the data to the township for review.

“In my past experience, some professional has gone out and done that study and made a recommendation; then it’s up to the board,” Steigerwalt said.

“My only concern is if that’s the case, why can’t a (private) individual go out and do it.”

Dumping

It was also announced at Wednesday’s meeting that the township received a complaint letter about dumping taking place on Flagstaff Road.

Supervisor Myron “Zeke” Blahy said his opinion is that it’s the landowner’s responsibility since it’s their property.

Steigerwalt suggested the board have township secretary Natalie Haggerty write a letter from the township to the property owner requesting permission to barricade the area to make access difficult.

“It’s a shame,” he said. “It seems to get worse all the time.”

Videotaping meetings

Resident Janice Bowman discussed the matter of videotaping and recording meetings, and that she has that right per the Sunshine Law.

“And I was (previously) told I couldn’t do it,” Bowman said. “If I wanted to videotape, I do have the right.”

As for the videotaping of meetings, Steigerwalt said that as far as he’s aware, the township hasn’t had any issues with videotaping, and noted Blue Ridge TV13 has attended and videotaped meetings.

Bowman also questioned why the board doesn’t attend other meetings that occur in the township.

“Wouldn’t it be beneficial if when it’s a problem to have one of you’s at that meeting to see what’s going on and observe? “Wouldn’t it be better if one of you’s would be there?

Steigerwalt told Bowman that if it’s a zoning hearing and the board of supervisors has an issue on a zoning matter, the township’s zoning officer informs them and they have legal counsel.