Islamic Cemetery Plan Draws Opposition In Dudley
DUDLEY (CBS) - Desiree Moninski walks along the farm land on Corbin Road she grew up on.
"It goes way down. It's 66 acres or so," she said while walking the property.
Fifty-five acres of the land is currently in agreement to be sold. The buyer is The Islamic Society of Greater Worcester, and it hopes to use 25 acres to develop a cemetery.
If finalized, the former farm could possibly be the first predominantly Muslim cemetery in Massachusetts.
"I'm not happy about it. I want to see it stay farm land," Moninski says.
Moninski now lives across the street. Her aunt is selling the land. When asked if she thinks that the fact that Muslims are purchasing the land plays a role, Moninski said that's not why she is opposed to the plan.
"No, no, it's not that," she said. "People don't want a cemetery here. We already have enough cemeteries in Dudley."
She was one of many Dudley residents who testified in town zoning board public hearings.
Attorney Jason Talerman, who represents the Islamic society, says the plan has not been well received and they've heard "everything from the grumbling and the boos and the hisses."
"Comments in a recent board of health meeting, someone said they're going to discard of bodies that could possibly have the Ebola virus and could contaminate our water," he says.
The Islamic society released a statement Thursday afternoon.
"We are American citizens, long time residents of Massachusetts," reads the statement. "This is our home. We respect the opinions of the Zonal Board of Appeal and hope to foster a relationship where the people of Dudley also have a mutual respect and understanding of why this project is so important to us."
The Town of Dudley's Attorney Gary Brackett said it's not about religion.
"It's about the cemetery and not about the Muslim organization," he said.
The town's Zoning Board of Appeals held a third public hearing Thursday night at town hall.
Selectman Paul Joseph is upset that the town is being painted as Islamaphobic. Talerman added, "Unfortunately...bigotry has reared it's ugly head."
The Worcester area Muslims now bury their loved ones in Enfield, Connecticut, and they're eyeing the Dudley land as a closer option.
"I deserve to be here," Amjad Bahnassi of the Islamic society said during the hearing, adding that he works hard and he doesn't want his family to go far away to bury their dead. "Trust me: We have nothing to hide."
At the hearing, the Islamic society presented a revised plan to address concerns about traffic, potential wellwater contamination and the number of burials on the property. The group also offered to give a portion of the land to the town.
The zoning board has 90 days to either approve or reject the plan.
WBZ-TV's Ken MacLeod contributed to this report.