Earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period - shares used for basic earnings per common share	9,777	9,651	9,745	9,613
Common shares issuable under share based payment plans which are potentially dilutive	62	67	77	87
Common shares used for diluted earnings per common share	9,839	9,718	9,822	9,700
Income from continuing operations	$ 2,047	$ 1,754	$ 4,022	$ 3,837
Discontinued operations	0	1,731	2,179	3,692
Net income	$ 2,047	$ 3,485	$ 6,201	$ 7,529
Basic earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations	$ .21	$ .18	$ .41	$ .40
Discontinued operations	.00	.18	.23	.38
Net income	.21	.36	.64	.78
Diluted earnings per common share
Income from continuing operations	.21	.18	.41	.40
Discontinued operations	.00	.18	.22	.38
Net income	$ .21	$ .36	$ .63	$ .78