Software Upgrade Expected to Ease Construction Headaches

Construction projects can turn into headaches, as communication between builders, contractors, homeowners and municipal inspectors get tangled.

Township officials hope to streamline the process with the installation of new software in the township's construction office, and staff training being done today.  

"There are elements within the new software which will allow us to communicate more effectively," Township Administrator Mark Krane said at the July 21 Township Committee meeting when the ordinance authorizing $12,000 from the township's capital projects funds for the upgrade was introduced.

Krane added the new system could allow everyone involved in a project to follow progress through the township's inspection process, and when a question arises, make it easier for all parties to know what information is needed.

Delays caused by one party waiting for information or communication from another could be avoided, making the project move forward more smoothly, he said.

"One of the biggest problems we have is that when questions go out, people don't know they were asked a question—the response doesn't come back quick enough," Krane said. "And that's a large part of the gap."

Township committee members were anxious to see a more "customer friendly" process for handling permits, and said the township should be able to gauge any improvements in the construction office's ability to keep projects progressing.

Not all features of the software will be in place right away, Krane said today, but will be rolled out in coming months. The software will be put into use about Feb. 1.