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Building permit numbers plunge as only 108 issued in first quarter CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer In the first quarter of this year, Halton Hills's Building Department has processed only 108 building permits compared with the 494 that were issued in last year's first quarter. So far, the department has issued 108 permits with a total construction value of $12 million. This has generated $94,000 in permit fees for the Town. Permits issued include 22 for new residential, 55 for other residential (such as additions), nine for commercial (all additions or alternations), four for industrial (two new buildings and two additions), two for agricultural, three miscellaneous, one tent, seven signs, one water hookup, and four demolitions. Last year at this time, the Town had issued 494 permits with a construction value of $48 million and $600,000 in permit fees. The bulk of the permits involved 345 new home construction and 122 other residential construction, and four industrial builds. Halton Hills Building Department achieved a "historical record" last year with the number of permits (1,382) and their construction value, $183 million. Earlier this year, Building Zoning and Enforcement director Henry Tse said he didn't expect this year to match the historical numbers posted by 2005, because housing starts were slowing down. However, he said the amount of commercial building, particularly in the 401-407 Gateway Business Park, could help the numbers to keep pace. The Building Department has also collected $309,000 in development charges in the first three months of this year. Also in their first quarter report, the Enforcement Services division has kept busy, by receiving 235 new complaints as well dealing with 248 active complaint cases. Of these 187 were under investigation, 84 had legal action pending and 61 were awaiting first investigation. The division also resolved 157 cases during this period. This division issued 22 portable sign permits, generating about $2,000 in fees for the municipality in the first quarter. The Enforcement division also processed 341 dog licences in the first three months of the year, totaling 22 per cent of the 2006 licence fees projected. By the end of March there was 4,710 dogs registered in the Town. (Cynthia Gamble can be reached at cgamble@independentfreepress.com) Be an angel Rebecca Van Fraassen held the `Be an Angel' box at Sobeys recently as local Acton merchants kicked off the third annual Wings for SMA fundraiser. Joining her were (from left) Sobeys cashier Catherine Locke, Staying Alive Fitness owner Nancy Elop and Blue Springs Spa owner Kristine Cieslok. The campaign raises money to fund research for a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two. Through June 18 $2 donations will be accepted at Sobeys checkouts. Those who donate will have a chance to win a prize package valued at $375, that includes a dinner for four from Sobeys valued at $100, a day spa package from Blue Springs Spa and Salon valued at $200 and a one-month membership to Staying Alive Fitness valued at $75. Donations can also be made at Blue Springs Spa and Staying Alive Fitness through June 18. Funds raised will be presented at the fifth annual Rebecca Run for SMA, Saturday, July 8 at Fairy Lake in Newmarket. Organizers hope to surpass the $500,000 mark for the five years of the run with this year's campaign. Photo by Ted Brown New CH boss starts in July Conservation Halton (CH) has announced the selection of a new CAO/Secretary-Treasurer. Starting in July, Ken Phillips will be at the helm of the environmental agency, CH chair Brian Penman announced recently. Phillips is currently the general manager of the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority in eastern Ontario and brings almost 15 years of experience in various positions with conservation authorities including Niagara and Hamilton.