Slight Tax Increase Proposed For Washington Township

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A slight tax increase is included in the proposed 2019 budget for Washington Township, Mayor Matt Murello said.

If approved, the average family will see their taxes go up $29, which is about 1.5 percent. Overall, the budget for the town will increase about 1 percent. The discrepancy between the spending increase and the tax increase is because there is a decrease in total ratables, Administrator Andrew Coppola said.

The average home in Washington Township is assessed at $436,145. A home with that value would see their taxes go from $1,948.26 to $1,977.93.

Some things included in this year's budget are repairs and replacements for equipment at the DPW, health department, and emergency services, road improvements, and renovations to Town hall, Murello said.

"I'm proud of the work we completed to prepare this budget and thank all of the departments for their efforts," Murello said.

The budget will be formally introduced at the March 18 committee meeting, and voted on at the April 15 committee meeting.

In addition to the local tax increase, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders has also proposed a small increase of $11 annually for the average homeowner.