Mahoning Township has until the end of this month to pay a $32,000 settlement to be split evenly among four police officers.

The payment is to be made in equal amounts of $8,000 to officers James Danner, Cory Frey, Tyler Meek and Jeffrey Frace, according to a memorandum of understanding obtained through a right-to-know request.

The payments are to be made through issuance of payroll checks, each in the gross amount of $8,000, less all applicable taxes and other deductions, via direct deposit to each officer on or before Sept. 30.

The township and the Mahoning Township Police Department, through its bargaining agent, the Fraternal Order of Police, Schuylkill-Carbon Lodge No. 13, are parties to a collective bargaining agreement that governs the wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment for all full-time properly certified employees of the township’s police department.

The township police department filed a grievance alleging that the township violated the agreement by directing that open shifts created by officers’ leave not be filled, in contravention of the CBA.

The township denied that any violation of the CBA occurred in connection with the circumstances that gave rise to the grievance.

On a 4-0 vote, with one abstention, supervisors earlier this month approved the memorandum of understanding between the township and the police association. Supervisor Mark Schwalm abstained.

Board Chair Deb McGowan noted at that time the matter pertained to a grievance settlement.

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