SLIPPERY ROCK — A speed limit reduction led to a discussion of speeding at a borough council meeting Tuesday, July 2.

Andrew Coleman, a Slippery Rock resident, spoke about the speed limit on Franklin Road, saying there has been a lack of police to watch for speeders.

“You mentioned changing speed limits, but no action has been taken on our stretch of the road,” Coleman said.

Borough council president Jeff Campbell pointed out “people passing through are not necessarily residents who speed, they are also drivers who come through town to head to Grove City or other places.”

West Water Street has gone from a 35 mph speed limit down to 25 mph — a limit consistent across all roads maintained by the borough. Boller Drive in Slippery Rock Park has a speed limit of 15 mph.

The reduction in speed, which took effect May 21, is due to several factors, including “a culmination of complaints from residents, in addition to us all witnessing instances of speeders going through,” Campbell said.

Borough manager Christian Laskey said he would pull data on Franklin Road and ask Police Chief Terry A. Fedokovitz to check on the situation.

Mayor Jondavid Longo said he wanted to reassure residents “public safety is the top priority of the council.”

The borough did make clear that if roads are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the speed limit will stay the same.

A longtime council member and fireman was honored after his recent death.

Ron Steele served on the Slippery Rock Council for 30 years. He also served as a firefighter for 67 years, 32 of those years as a fire chief.

A member of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department was present at the meeting and thanked council members for their participation in assisting Steele while hospice, as well as being a part of his celebration of life, which took place Friday, June 28.

A proposed amendment would change the name of School Drive to Steele Alley.

Slippery Rock will hold its fifth annual Independence Day Celebration from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Fireworks will start at 10 p.m.

For the event, South Main Street will be shut down from New Castle Street to East Cooper Street.