First Look: Chatham Township Budget 2019

CHATHAM, NJ - Good news for residents as the preliminary Chatham Township boudget for 2019 shows a slight decrease in the tax rate, according to officials.

A first look at the budget for 2019 shows a slight decrease in the tax rate while making improvements to Nash Field, trucks for the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department, Department of Public Works and continued road improvements, according to the Chatham Township Facebook page.

The 2019 capital budget currently includes:

• Various road improvements.
• Purchase of fire safety equipment including a new
• rescue truck and brush truck for the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department.
• Purchase of Department of Public Works equipment including large dump
• truck with plow.
• Improvements to Nash Field including upgrading lights and improvements to the fields and skating area.

The preliminary budget summary:

• This budget provides for a decrease in the local purpose tax rate
• of 1/10 of a cent resulting in a savings to the average household of
• $10.59.
• Surplus at the end of 2017 stood at $3,973,188 and the Township's
• financial position remains strong. It was expected that with
• a return to the normal tax collection rate, surplus used in the
• 2018 budget would be restored. In fact, surplus at the end of 2018
• stands at $4,341,974.
• The Municipal Open Space Tax will remain set at one cent per
• $100 of assessed value. The funds will continue to be used
• to fund open space purchases and payment of debt related to
• these activities.

Officials noted that these numbers are subject to change pending the release of state aid numbers.

(Photo courtesy of Chatham Township)

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