The Chatham Township Committee will introduce its 2013 budget for approval when it meets Thursday.

At the Feb. 14 committee meeting, Administrator Thomas E. Ciccarone proposed a tax rate decrease of 3/10 of a cent. For the average home assessed at $750,000, this would mean a tax decrease of $25.50.

The 2012 tax rate was at 28.8 cents per $100 of assessed value, for a total average municipal tax of $2,152. If the committee votes to approve the budget as proposed, that amount will fall to 28.5 cents per $100.

Public Hearing on Liquor Licenses

The public will have the opportunity to comment on an ordinance raising fees for liquor licenses in the township.

Currently, consumption liquor licenses cost $1,915, and retail liquor licenses cost $630.

By state statute, the township is allowed to raise the annual cost of each liquor license by 20 percent, up to $2,500.

Under the ordinance up for final approval Thursday, consumption liquor licenses would cost $2,298 and retail licenses would cost $756.

The Chatham Township Committee meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chatham Township Municipal Building. A full copy of the agenda is in the Photos section of this article.