Boyers sewer project expected to be done by spring
Following a visit to Marion Township, county commissioners told the public Wednesday, Oct. 11, that Boyers’ new sewage treatment system was “coming along” — with anticipated completion in the spring.
“We had the opportunity to talk to officials there,” said Leslie Osche, commissioners’ chairwoman. “Everybody up there is just absolutely ecstatic; it’s beyond belief.”
As the nearly five-year project comes to an end, Jason McBride, chairman of the Marion Township supervisors, said all the praise belongs to the county commissioners.
“They’ve done a knockout job here,” he said. “We could not have done this without the help of the county. Period.”
The township inherited the village’s formerly defunct system from Boyers Water and Sewage, and McBride said the township initially could not afford the over $4.2 million to repair it.
“We tried going through (the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority); the offer came back, and we were only going to have about 40% funding,” he said, “which left us with over a $2 million bill.”
With the necessary repairs affecting approximately 130 homes in the township, McBride said the township turned to the Butler County Infrastructure Bank for help.
“They put a package together, and with what little grant funding we had, they brought another over $4 million to the table,” he said. “We were able to put a brand new public system in with zero tap-in fees.
“It’s just been incredible.”
As of this week, McBride said crews from Mortimer Excavating and Bison Construction are laying more than 800 feet of line a day and have begun work on the system’s previous sewage lagoon.
“Right now we’re in the process of testing the sludge that is left from the previous lagoon to see the degree of sludge versus dirt,” he said. “It is all going to be hauled away, hopefully starting in about two weeks.”
Despite a delayed start this August, McBride said crews were on track to complete construction this spring.
“The plan was to break ground in June, but there were supply issues with piping that set them back about six weeks,” he said. “But once they got started, it’s been unbelievable.”
And with the project impacting less than 20% of township residents, McBride said he is confident it would not impact taxpayers.
“I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, the three county commissioners have been absolutely amazing to work with,” he said. “They went above and beyond, and it’s going to impact our community unbelievably.”
Commissioners also approved a $419,854 developer’s agreement for the Butler County Area Agency on Aging’s new senior center and offices on North Duffy Road.
John Campbell, chief of operations for the county, said crews are currently working on restructuring the site of the former Butler Health and Fitness Club before submitting it for construction.
Additionally, the property saw approval of a stormwater management agreement with Butler Township and an easement of its right of way for Pennsylvania American Water.
Osche said the agency is eager “to get their center open.”
