Mahoning Township and its police chief have agreed to a new three-year contract.

After a brief executive session, the township’s board of supervisors on a 3-2 vote Wednesday approved the contract for police Chief Audie Mertz.

Supervisors Myron “Zeke” Blahy, Ron Reeser and David Pollock were in favor. Supervisor Deb McGowan and board Chairman Robert Slaw were opposed.

After the meeting, McGowan explained why she voted against the measure.

“I don’t think he’s qualified as chief anymore; he’s not doing a chief’s job,” McGowan said. “I just think $96,000 for a small township like we have is just too much money, and he doesn’t have the education.”

Asked why he was in opposition, Slaw declined comment.

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

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

In July, 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 is from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025.

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

As part of the contract, patrolman make $38.90 an hour in 2023, $40.07 in 2024, and $41.26 in 2025.

Supervisors said the police department’s previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2022.