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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – The Board of Selectmen approved a site plan for a Sikh Temple at its meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The new temple, planned for Flanders Road, will be built for the New England Sikh Study Circle.
Attorney Marshall Gould, representative for the New England Sikh Study Circle, said the group has outgrown its location in Milford and is looking to expand. The new building will have two floors with a prayer hall, kitchen and residency for the religious leader. The building will hold a maximum of 400 people and have a parking lot for approximate 140 cars. Gould believes traffic will not be an issue.
“The Sunday services will be followed by a meeting. People will arrive shortly before the service, but not everyone leaves at once. Some people go and some stay and socialize,” Gould said.
Michael Scott, senior civil engineer for Waterman Design Associates, said the pastor’s residence on the property means someone will be there at all times. The congregation also plans to maintain the property.
“There are 37 acres and out of that only six will be developed,” Scott said. “The property will remain heavily wooded.”
The New England Sikh Study Circle does not plan on developing the rest of the site in the future, but instead hopes to create hiking trails. They also hope to add solar panels to the building to generate some of their own electricity.
According to Gould, the New England Sikh Study Circle is the largest Sikh congregation in New England.
“People will come from all over the state and other states in New England to go to this temple,” Gould said.
Selectmen George Thompson had encouraging words for the New England Sikh Study Circle when the plan was approved.
“I wish you and your worshipers much success and happiness,” Thompson said.
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