Improved Services Help Township Office Keep Pace

Since upgrading software controlling the township Construction Office records last year, Warren Construction Official Jeff Heiss has seen a stream of new services added.

"This think is almost like watching a flower bloom," he said Thursday morning, after hosting a photo op in the construction department office unveiling the department's new system for taking credit cards for fee payments.

The "blooming flower" has added improvements to what used to be a complex and confusing process for obtaining building permits and inspections. What used to take months can now often be done in weeks.

"Our usual turnaround on a permit is usually eight to 10 days," Heiss said.

The township has equipped building inspectors with iPads, enabling them to verify and update records instantly. "If you pass your inspections, you can call within half and hour and we'll have it ready for you," Heiss said. 

Which is more important than ever, with demand for the services escalating in recent years—due in part to the hurricanes and demand for generator installations. Township Administrator Mark Krane said as many as 3,000 permits for generators have been issued in the last two years.

"Those statistics are critical because this office is so much more busy," Township Committeeman George Lazo said.

Thursday, the township began accepting credit card payments, in addition to checks (no cash), another bloom on Heiss' flower.

Best of all for taxpayers, the system is not paid for by taxes but by the fees collected by the department.

That makes the flower even prettier in some eyes.