The speed limit along Fritz Road in Mahoning Township will be lowered.

On a unanimous vote, township supervisors on Wednesday adopted an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on Fritz Road from 35 mph to 25 mph from Semmels Hill Road to the East Penn Township boundary line.

That decision came after the board on a 3-0 vote last month agreed to have township solicitor Tom Nanovic draft an ordinance to that effect.

Supervisor Deb McGowan said at February’s meeting that she didn’t believe that a speed study was warranted there due to the limited number of vehicles that use the road an hour.

Afterward, supervisors tabled any further action on the subject.

Resident David Fritz asked supervisors earlier in December to consider lowering the speed from 35 mph to 25 mph.

Supervisor Myron “Zeke” Blahy told Fritz at that time speeding is an issue in many places in the township.

Blahy said the township was working to get a sign that would flash, and told Fritz the board would look into the situation.

In September 2023, supervisors discussed the purchase of a speed detector to crack down on speeding in the township.

At that time, the board discussed a Solar Power radar Sign Matrix Display, which would cost $4,035.

The board agreed to set money aside in this year’s budget for two speed detector signs.

However, they have not been purchased to date.

Blahy said previously he believes a speed detector could deter some of the township’s problems.

However, McGowan disagreed at that time, and instead suggested that the police department should be out more on the streets.

Ashtown Drive

In other traffic issues, Colin Rehrig addressed township supervisors on Wednesday about vehicles flying past Ashtown Drive.

“The speeding on Ashtown Drive is bad,” Rehrig told the board.

Board Chairman Robert Slaw told Rehrig the township has heard the complaints.

“We’ve instructed police to (monitor),” Slaw said. “That’s up to the (township police) chief.”

Rehrig also voiced his frustration over the debris along the east side of Mall Road.

“That’s terrible,” Rehrig said. “Over half of that is litter from Lowe’s.”

It was then suggested that the township perhaps send Lowe’s a letter.

Supervisor Deb McGowan agreed with Rehrig’s assessment.

“The litter on Mall Road is really bad with the plastic,” McGowan said.