Urgent Care Center Opening, Mosque Hearing, Undefeated RHS Basketball Playing in Week Ahead

The new year is still getting off to a start in Basking Ridge, and there are some new beginnings as well as continuing issues — including two more games for the undefeated Ridge boys basketball team — on the agenda for this week.

The second Bernards Township Committee meeting of 2014 is coming up this week at 8 p.m., with that meeting as well as Planning Board and other major municipal meetings back in the courtroom and main meeting room at Town Hall at 1 Collyer Lane in Basking Ridge center.

And on Wednesday, the Planning Board has scheduled a special meeting for 7:30 p.m. to continue a public hearing on a long-running subject that has captured much public interest and comment — a proposed new 4,200-square-foot mosque in Liberty Corner Village.

In early December, at least two dozen residents attended the latest Planning Board hearing where witnesses for the ISBR provided further details about a plan to build a mosque on about four acres at 124 Church Street in Liberty Corner, roughly across the street from the Liberty Corner firehouse.

With the board's approval, the applicant decided to revise parking plans on the property that also would require some additional revisions to the drainage system. The next meeting for the public hearing was pushed ahead to Jan. 15 — this Wednesday — to allow for those changes to be fully developed and on file prior to the meeting. 

Also this Tuesday, Astra Health Care urgent care center, opened in the Lyons Mall, has scheduled a grand opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The center will offer services to Bernards Township residents such as free blood pressure screenings. 

Mayor John Carpenter will be attending to cut the ribbon and welcome the new urgent care center to Bernards Township, according to information from the center. The center will be offering tours to the public as well.  

Games coming up for undefeated Ridge Red Devils basketball

Meanwhile, the undefeated Ridge Red Devils boys basketball team (8-0) has two games coming up this week. The team's most recent win was a 48-42 victory over Plainfield on Sunday, according to NJ.com.

Also coming up are an away game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Warren Hills High School and a Thursday home game at 7 p.m. against Montgomery High School. 

And at Ridge High School this week, Small Steps Big Difference is holding “Project Open Shoe Box” now through Friday for soldiers overseas. Donations being sought include toiletries, powdered drink mixes, instant oatmeal and other items on the RHS homepage, and listed on the donation box located by the welcome desk at the high school.