Basking Ridge Pays More In Ongoing Islamic Mosque Lawsuit

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Bernards Township Committee met early Friday morning to award Professional Service Contracts in connection with the ongoing saga and lawsuit between the town and Islamic Society of Basking Ridge.

Three contracts were awarded Dec. 16 at the 8 a.m. committee meeting totaling almost $250,000 in expenses to the township.

A non-neutral arbitrator — William A. Dreier, Esq. of the firm Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A — was hired to represent the township for $25,000.

The committee also awarded the continuing contract for legal services from Special Counsel Herold Law, P.A. with Respect to ISBR and M. Chaudry vs. Bernards Township and United States Department of Justice for a new not to exceed amount of $ 187,500.

Lastly a Professional Services Contract for Legal Representation in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey (Trenton) entitled The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge, et al. v. Township of Bernards, was awarded to Hiram B. Carey III of the firm Robinson + Cole for an amount not to exceed $ 35,000.

The lawsuit by the The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge was filed in March after the Bernards Township Planning Board denied voted down the application to build an Islamic mosque on Church Street.

Since the ISBR's suit the United States Justice Department also filed a lawsuit in November against Bernards Township alleging discrimination after the Township's Planning Board decision.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.