WEB ONLY: Building figures "not as bad as we anticipated"

Most signs seem to be pointing to a healthy local economy, despite the current recession.

Last month finance director Mike Givens noted the economic downturn has had little effect on taxes owing in the township.  And a report earlier this month from Chief Building Official Jim Baker indicated things seems to be picking up after a relatively slow winter to start the year.

“It’s going better than what we might have anticipated,” Mayor John Green said on June 9 after reviewing Baker’s report.

In May the there was over $1.91-million worth of construction in the township on 27 different projects that generated $17,105 in permit fees.

As of the end of May, 100 permits were issued in the township - not a huge difference from the 115 issued over the same period in 2008.

And on Tuesday afternoon Baker noted there are “a lot of applications coming in” for building permits.

“There’s pretty good activity going on,” Baker said.