NORWICH – Chenango County’s sales tax collections were more than $4.82 million from January through March, an increase of .53 percent compared to the same period last year.

Collections were flat after January, and Treasurer William C. Craine told members of the Finance Committee Thursday that he was pleased to report that the county hadn’t slipped backward for the first quarter.

The amount compares to neighboring counties: Broome - 19.49 percent; Otsego - 10.30 percent and Madison - 2.94 percent. Craine said the higher percentages in Broome and Otsego may be related to home-building and repair purchases at hardware and lumber stores following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Chenango County was less affected by the storms.