An Isolated Community

To the Editor:

I am disappointed that the rejection of the Buddhist temple was upheld in Superior Court. The reasons for the rejection are unsubstantial and inconclusive, although this ongoing battle with P&Z does conclude one thing: many Newtowners have a severe case of xenophobia.

Those who live near the proposed temple site are fearful of the increased traffic and noise the temple might bring. I live right off of Boggs Hill and travel the road often, and the only traffic I’ve encountered is getting stuck behind a school bus. Americans have a right to education. Americans also have a right to religious freedom. A threat of increased traffic should never impede on our rights. St Rose is one of the busiest churches in town, and I’m sure almost everyone has been stuck on Church Hill as people file out of the parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. To deal with this problem, we’ve appointed someone to direct traffic. Can’t this solution also be applied to the temple?

And noise? When I think of any place of worship, be it a temple, synagogue, mosque, or church, noise is not part of the picture. Are people envisioning a bunch of monks in party hats rolling a keg through the door? Buddhism is an especially peaceful and subdued religion, focusing on meditation and observation. I can see it now: A police officer knocks on the temple door, a minute later a monk answers.

“Is there a problem, officer?”

“Why yes, there is. We got a noise complaint from your neighbors. You’re meditating too loud.”

The main reason why I’m so skeptical of the motives behind the rejection is the explosion of residential and commercial development taking place all over town, including Boggs Hill. I can easily count at least five new houses that have gone up in the past few years, a fact that weakens the argument of “wetland preservation.” Look at the name of the street: Boggs Hill. This road cuts directly through wetlands. Why is it now that we look towards preservation?

I love Newtown. I’ve lived here for 12 years, and I’m grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful town full of such wonderful people. But we are an extremely isolated community in terms of diversity. We don’t need another shopping center, and please, enough with the banks. Let’s develop our minds, our worldliness, our tolerance, and our understanding for one another. I say yes to the Boggs Hill temple.

Amanda Bloom

30 Ridge Road, Newtown                                    November 28, 2005