Buddhist Temple Approved for Buxton

May 2, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Portland Press Herald

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/026420.html

Two-and-a-half years after proposing to build a Buddhist temple on a rural road in Buxton, members of southern Maine's Cambodian community this week received approval for their project from the Buxton Planning Board.

The Wat Samaki Temple on Back Nippen Road received the board's unanimous approval Monday with few changes to the proposal other than a reduction in the size of the parking lot from 63 spaces to 50. These changes were because of occupancy restrictions based on fire codes, according to Buxton Code Enforcement Officer Fred Farnham.

Located in a former printing shop and adjoining farm house, the temple will be the only facility of its kind in New England north of Massachusetts. It will be a place of worship and meditation for hundreds of people and host several Cambodian celebrations throughout the year.

The temple project was unpopular with many neighbors who said it would disrupt the rural setting.