By Cliff White 

Staff Writer

Representatives of the Wat Samaki Temple and the Buxton Planning Board struck a more conciliatory tone at a Monday meeting, as temple delegates agreed on the work that needs to be done to their site at 128 Back Nippen Road before it can be approved by the board.

Hearings on the temple have been held intermittently for more than two years, and temple representatives have expressed growing frustration with the process. After the Monday meeting, however, Beth Sturtevant, who is representing the temple at the hearings, said the proceedings had turned a corner.

“Finally we were able to get it down to a list of things we need to do. The list is manageable and we are working to get them done,” Sturtevant said. “This is progress.”

“The planning board should have done this a while ago,” she added.

The board focused on storm-water runoff and drainage, voicing concerns that the temple’s current plans address the issue inadequately. Sturtevant assured the board the temple would soon submit a revised plan for handling runoff.

Sturtevant also announced the temple had reduced the size of its proposed parking lot from 67 spaces to 52, after an inspection by the fire marshal showed the capacity of the temple to be lower than expected. The total includes two handicapped spaces.

At a meeting in February, board members said they had found spaces in the parking lot to measure six inches short of the 9-foot width required by the town code. Temple officials originally estimated more than 200 visitors for its three or four large annual festivals, but the fire marshal limits the temple to a 110-person capacity. 

“This alleviates some of the concerns I had about the temple causing an increase in the amount of traffic along that road,” said Selectman Jean Harmon, who lives on Back Nippen Road.

Sturtevant said the temple was working on expanding its restrooms to bring it up to code for its expected capacity.

Some neighbors have criticized the temple’s plan for the installation and maintenance of adequate buffering which would create a visual barrier between their property and the parking lot. At the February meeting, neighbor Alycia Campbell said sight lines to the parking lot would affect her property’s value.

Sturtevant said the temple would build a 6-foot barrier according to the specifications of the town code. Board member Keith Emery said that would satisfy the requirement regarding buffering necessary for gaining approval.

The planning board agreed with Sturtevant when she said noise, lighting and fire safety would not be issues so long as the temple’s expansion plans did not change.

Board member Caroline Segalla said she was against attempting to have the town limit the number of gatherings the temple could host. Temple officials have said there would only be three large gatherings per year at which the building’s capacity might be reached, plus an additional half-dozen or so smaller gatherings. 

The board had looked into the possibility of a signed accord limiting the number of larger celebrations the temple could host – an agreement neighbors backed and to which temple officials had tentatively agreed. However, the disclosure at the February meeting of a federal law which bars federal, state or local governments from limiting the number of celebrations of an approved religious organization had all sides changing tacks.

“We cannot limit the number of celebrations,” said Board Chairman Jeremiah Ross. “It’s not enforceable.”

Lawrence Miller, an abutter of the temple, asked if it would be possible for the town to accept an agreement if the temple signed on voluntarily.

However, the temple quashed the idea they would voluntarily enter into such an agreement.

“We don’t want to absolutely limit the number of events we can host. We don’t think it’s necessary,” Sturtevant said.

After the meeting, Miller said he took the temple at its word on the celebrations.

“They have been very fair and forthcoming in their words and actions,” Miller said. “I am expecting they will honor the agreement on limiting the number of large celebrations to what they described themselves would take place.”

Sturtevant said she was content with the progress made during the meeting.

“We know what issues are OK with the planning board and what we need to work on,” Sturtevant said. “And that is a good point to have reached.”