The county commissioners on Wednesday voted to advertise for bids to construct a new sewer system in the Boyers area of Marion Township, hoping to finish it by the end of next year.

The estimated $4.9-million project is being divided into three construction contracts, with work expected to begin in early spring.

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 that serves some customers with a new system that will serve 111 residential and business customers.

Bids will be due Dec. 20, and will be opened at the commissioners’ Dec. 21 meeting. Plans call for contracts to be awarded in January so construction can begin in March or April, said Wendy Leslie, county CDBG administrator. She said the project will be completed by the end of December 2023.

The project will be divided into three contracts — installing a total of 20,500 feet of sewer lines, building a treatment plant and installing electrical service, Leslie said. The contract will include draining and rerouting lagoons used in the existing treatment system.

In addition, the commissioners approved advertising for bids for 87 grinder pumps that will be installed at some homes when they are connected to the system.

Leslie told the commissioners that 85 of the grinders will be needed and two will be held in reserve.

The grinders require 200 amp electrical service, but some homes have 100 amp service.

Mark Gordon, county’s chief of economic development and planning, said efforts are underway to try to offset the cost to homeowners for converting homes to 200 amp service.

Leslie Osche, chairwoman of the commissioners, was happy with the progress of the project.

“I never thought I’d be so excited about grinder pumps,” she said.

Commissioners also approved advertising for a project management engineer and one or two inspectors to make sure the work meets project specifications and keep the project on track.

Officials said $278,000 in CDBG administrative funds are available to hire the engineer and inspectors.

In a separate construction project, the commissioners agreed to buy steel beams for the White Bridge reconstruction project in Evans City for $227,182 from Quality Bridge and Fab Inc. of Mercer County.

Contracts for precast concrete deck panels have already been awarded. Work is expected to begin early next year.

The commissioners also approved a $38,362 proposal from Moshier Studio of Pittsburgh to design offices that are being relocated within the Butler County Government Center.

The Register of Wills office will move into the Election Bureau’s office after the bureau moves to the magisterial district court office building on Cunningham Street in Butler, and the Domestic Relations office will move into the Register of Wills former office. Part of the Election Bureau’s former office will be used for storage for the Facilities and Operations department.