Two inspectors added to work weekends
By:Melissa Edmond
Finishing weekend projects will be a lot easier for many Hillsborough homeowners, since the township started offering Saturday building inspections.
The township initiated the new program last week, with building and electrical inspections.
"We used to hear a lot of complaints that people used to have to take vacation days to have something inspected," Ron Estepp, township construction official, said. "We wanted to extend our service to a day that people have off. We’re trying to eliminate any undue pain that our customers may have to experience waiting for an inspector."
Mr. Estepp said the new schedule will accommodate only those homeowners who would otherwise have to use a vacation day during the week.
Township Committeeman Anthony Ferrera said the township expects the program to help the building department schedule all its inspections more efficiently.
"We believe there will be a double benefit from the new program," he said. "By providing residential inspections on Saturday, more time should be created to improve inspection service to the township’s commercial establishments during the week."
The construction department will add fire and plumbing inspections by May 7, Mr. Estepp said.
Mr. Estepp said the township budget included funding for the department to hire four part-time inspectors one for each of the four types of inspections. The inspectors will be paid $28 an hour for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
"If the program proves successful and the demand is there, we may look at adding evening inspections," said Mr. Ferrera. "We will continue to try to find opportunities to bring municipal services to the public in more convenient ways."

