A report from the township’s chief building official has shown building activity here decreased slightly last year.
David Kopp’s Jan. 10 report showed the number of permits in 2011 was 278, compared to 306 in 2010.
The estimated value of construction activity decreased from $31.97 million in 2010 to $26.21 million. Consequently, the permit fees dropped from $241,278 in 2010 to $219,020 last year.
There was a slight surge in single family dwelling permits in December, with seven, which brought the total number of houses constructed to 47.
There were 99 agricultural building permits issued last year, with an estimated construction value of $8.74 million. That brought in another $87,098 in permit fees.
Another 49 permits were issued for single family dwelling accessories, and 30 more in that category for renovations and additions.
Mayor Bruce Whale noted there were ten permits issued in December last year, compared to only three the previous year.
Kopp said of the annual totals there was a decrease because the designated structures category did not arrive as anticipated. Those include such things as solar panels.
He added there were houses being built, but no septic systems built because the homes were for areas where water and sewage is available.
“Add those and they’d be like last year – almost identical,” Kopp said.
Councillor Mike Downey joked that the decrease in payments almost equals the cost of the building department’s truck and council should “send the new truck back. We’re down that much in fees.”
Whale, though, noted the truck is used by other departments besides the building department.
Council accepted the report.
