Opposition To Hindu Temples In The West

[G.Subramaniam]

http://www.pluralism.org/news/article.php?id=11396

Update: Ashland Hindu Temple Plans Updated to Meet Neighbors� Concerns (Massachusetts)
Dec 15, 2005
Ashland Tab
On December 15, 2005 the Ashland Tab reported, "Ashland officials at one of the largest Hindu temples in New England told the Planning Board they are updating construction plans to meet neighbors’ concerns about parking, fencing, lighting and stormwater drainage. Sri Lakshmi temple officials and their engineers met with neighbors Dec. 1 to talk about plans for the 117 Waverley St. property. Temple Trustee Harish Dang said they want to be good neighbors by dealing with any concerns... Temple engineer Nalin Mistry, of Mistry Associates of Reading, said plans updated with neighbors’ suggestions move a proposed parking lot back by about 55 feet... The updated plans also include wooden fencing on the property’s east and west sides, to better shield neighbors from noise, light and sound, said Mistry... Officials are also designing lighting so that lights at the perimeter of the parking lot are shut off on timers at 10 p.m., said Mistry. Outside lighting on the temple building that shines onto neighbors’ properties will be removed, he said. Temple officials also vowed to give neighbors a schedule of religious holidays. When traffic is expected to surge, the temple plans to use off-site parking, said Mistry... If all goes smoothly with the Planning Board, and the Board of Health, construction could begin by summer, officials said."