Mahoning Township has approved a settlement agreement with its former chief of police.

On a 3-0 vote, with two abstentions, township supervisors on Wednesday ratified the agreement with Chief of Police Audie Mertz, and formally accepted his tender of retirement, effective immediately.

Board Chair Deb McGowan, along with supervisors Ron Reeser and Carol Etheridge voted in favor. Supervisors Mark Schwalm and Matt Wentz abstained.

After the meeting, a request for a copy of Mertz’s settlement agreement was denied.

The Times News has filed a Right to Know request seeking Mertz’s settlement agreement.

Mertz was hired in May 2001, and had been police chief since March 2014.

In September 2023, the-then supervisors after a brief executive session on a 3-2 vote approved a new three-year contract for Mertz.

As per the terms of that contract, Mertz was scheduled to make $94,038 in 2023; $96,820 in 2024; and $99,725 in 2025.

It was noted that Mertz was in the Fraternal Order of Police.

Last month, supervisors approved officer Tyler Meek as officer in charge for the position, effective Aug. 12.

Meek had been a full-time officer with the township since August 2010.

Police department contract

McGowan noted on Wednesday that the board is also working on a new contract for its police department.

In July 2023, supervisors approved a new three-year contract for the township’s police department.

After a 20-minute executive session, supervisors at that time approved the agreement between the township and the township’s police department.

The three-year agreement was from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2025.

It called for an average increase of 3% in each of the years of the agreement.

As part of that contract, patrolmen made $38.90 an hour in 2023; $40.07 in 2024; and $41.26 in 2025.

The police department’s previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2022.

Police department employment issues

McGowan noted that “things are changing” in the police department.

“We’re working on getting some new cops,” she said. “We need to hire, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

On a 4-0 vote, with one abstention, the board on Wednesday approved the memorandum of understanding between the township and the police association. Schwalm abstained.

McGowan noted the matter pertained to a grievance settlement.

Supervisors then on a 3-0 vote, with two abstentions, changed paid administrative leave for officer Jeffrey Frace to unpaid administrative leave, effective immediately. Schwalm and Wentz abstained.

In August 2024, supervisors accepted the retirement of Frace with the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, meaning his pension froze on Oct. 31, but he would continue to work full time for at least one year, but not more than three; and he will not have to contribute to his pension.

Frace was hired as a part-time officer in December 1997, and was full time since October 1999.