The upper waste stabilization pond at Boyers Water and Sewage Company wastewater management plant in Boyers, on Oct. 25, 2022. Butler Eagle File Photo

The county commissioners on Wednesday awarded $4.2 million in contracts to county and regional contractors for the Marion Township sewer project that is aimed at providing sewer service for at least 111 homes in Boyers by the end of the year.

The commissioners awarded a $2.2 million sewer plant construction contract to Bison Construction of Fairmount City in Clarion County, a $1.2 million contract to install sewer collection lines to Mortimer’s Excavating of Pulaski in Lawrence County, a $475,196 contract to provide 87 grinder pumps, pump housings and lateral service lines that will be installed at some homes to Trombold Equipment Co. (Tepco) of Mars, and a $265,000 contract for electric service installation to Right Electric of Butler.

A contract for engineering and inspection services was awarded to EADS Group of Clarion, based on qualifications. A do-not-exceed cost of $341,695 was negotiated for two full-time inspectors and one engineer, but county officials do not expect the final cost to be considerably less. Five firms responded to the county’s request for qualifications for the project.

The commissioners opened a total of 24 bids for the contracts on Dec. 21. The county engineer reviewed the construction bids and recommended approval of the lowest bids for each contract.

Funded with 2020 Community Development Block Grant funds, a competitive CDBG grant and supplemental CDBG funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, the project will replace an antiquated sewer system with a new system. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Residents will not be charged tap-in fees because of the area low-to-moderate income status.

Wendy Leslie, county CDBG coordinator, said a surplus of CDBG could be used to add six more homes to project scope.

Mark Gordon, county chief of economic development and planning, said some of the homes in the project area might need electric service and plumbing upgrades to be able to be connected to the new sewer system.

Leslie said residents can apply to the county Housing Authority for funding to pay for those upgrades.

Residents in the project area would receive priority for grants from $1.4 million the county is apply for from the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Whole-Home Repairs program being administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The commissioners authorized the county Redevelopment Authority to apply for up to $1,436,881 in program funds.

Solicitor Wil White said residents in the Marion Township sewer project area will be given priority for grants from program funds if the authority is awarded the money.

Homeowners with an income of up to 80% of the median county income and landlords who rent to low- to moderate-income families can apply for grants of up to $50,000 for home improvements, address safety issues, improve water and energy efficiency or make units accessible for people with disabilities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Butler County is $77,065.

In unrelated business, the commissioners appointed Tricia Kradel to the Butler Transit Authority board for a five-year term ending in December 2027.