ROTTERDAM — Rotterdam’s construction industry is booming, according to 2007 building permit figures released by the town this week.

The town added more than $53.7 million worth of projects last year, even though the total number of building permits dropped from 532 to 522. This figure dwarfs the town’s previous 10-year high of $39.2 million in 2005, when 575 building permits were on record.

“This administration has been going out there and attracting positive development,” said Michael Griesemer, the town’s public works coordinator. “When you bring in big positive growth, these are the numbers you see.”

Additions, alterations, and repairs represented the majority of the total construction cost, accounting for $20.9 million in 2007. The town issued 393 permits, representing a slight increase over the previous year’s figure.

The town also saw 78 new residences built, totaling $19.6 million of new construction. Rotterdam added 14 new businesses, representing $13.2 million.

Building permit fees jumped from $112,536 in 2006 to $136,980 last year. This was more than during the previous four years, according to figures provided by the town.

Supervisor Steve Tommasone said the increase in total construction value shows the town’s continued growth during a time when other areas are witnessing the effects of a cooling market. He said the outlook in Rotterdam seems to suggest the trend will continue.

“In Rotterdam, we’ve been relatively stable over time,” he said, “In the last few years, we’ve seen a tremendous growth.”

More construction also means more money for the town’s parkland fund, which is bankrolled through new development fees and is responsible for improvements to park facilities. Tommasone said last year’s construction boom added more than $70,000 to the fund, which now amounts to about $116,000.

But while Tommasone endorsed the construction numbers, he cautioned the town must improve its infrastructure. He said proposed projects such as the Burdeck Street sewer line and the Rotterdam Junction water tower are necessary to maintain reasonable growth.

Tommasone also stressed the need to finish updates to the town’s comprehensive plan, so that development can be positively guided. He said performance standards could be adopted as early as this summer and the comprehensive plan update by the fall.

“Without a plan, the town will go where we’ve been,” he said, “There is a future that exists beyond today.”