Butler County commissioners on Wednesday, Jan. 14, approved construction change orders and provided updates for water and sewer projects in the north and the Butler Senior Center in Butler Township.

Commissioners approved five change orders totaling $19,965 for Massaro Construction Group, the general construction contractor for the senior center, which is under construction at 215 N. Duffy Road.

Two change orders for a combined $30,581 for foundation and masonry repairs were partially offset by $10,616 in credits given for changes in signage, windows and waterproofing.

A $600 cost increase to $6,600 was approved for Moshier Studio for services related to settlement of the building that included damage to basement walls.

The commissioners awarded $5.5 million in contracts in April 2025 to build the senior center. The project is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer.

A separate change order increased the cost of the Marion Township water reservoir by $7,500 to $533,500. The project was funded from 2022 Community Development Block Grant funds.

Wendy Leslie, Community Development Block Grant administrator, said $22,000 was spent to have water delivered to the new reservoir to meet a grant deadline.

She said a pump that was supposed to transfer water from the former reservoir to the new one failed. That pump has been replaced. However, the water had to be delivered to meet the grant deadline to complete the project by the end of 2025, she said.

The grant included $14,500 to demolish the old reservoir. The demolition was canceled due to time constraints, so that money was used as a credit to offset the water delivery cost.

“The water’s been hauled in. We’re back in service. Everything’s going good,” Leslie said.

Change orders totaling $75,477 were approved for the sewer and water service replacement project at the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Business Park in Allegheny Township.

The A-C Valley Municipal Authority, which now owns the park, is paying the bills. The county engineering firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic serves as project manger.

The commissioners awarded three contracts totaling $4.8 million for the project in February 2025 for the park, where businesses employ nearly 600 people.

The park’s water and sewer systems are operating under a consent order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that mandates system upgrades.

County officials said the new sewer plant is substantially complete. The authority is waiting for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to issue an operating permit. The water treatment plant is expected to be completed in late March.

In unrelated business, the commissioners approved an engagement letter with Maher Duessel for conducting annual audits through 2029. The costs begin at $119,500 for the 2025 audit and increase to $129,500 for the 2029 audit. Out-of-pocket expenses cost extra.

An application was approved for a $130,647 Medication-Assisted Treatment grant for county prison inmates with substance use disorder.

Commissioners also approved an amendment to the agreement with Young Funeral Home for private mortuary services to reflect Korynne Young as the newly elected coroner. Commissioners said they are waiting for one piece of equipment to be delivered to complete the county’s morgue at 107 Woody Drive in the Pullman Center Business Park. The county will stop using the Young Funeral Home morgue when the county morgue is finished.