Text Size

Email Post

Print Post

Comments (4)

Save Article

Guilford, CT - Even as 12 area residents were meeting informally with Rabbi Yossi Yaffe on plans to build a Chabad of the Shoreline synagogue on Goose Lane, a petition was being circulated opposing it.

The petition asks that the Board of Selectmen call a special town meeting to discuss the synagogue application, which is scheduled to come before the Planning and Zoning Commission for a public hearing.

The petition, claims the application does not meet special permit PZC requirements.

Dr. Donna Criscenzo, who lives at 199 Goose Lane and operates her medical practice in the same building, Sherrye McDonald and James Colebrook who live next door and a number of other neighbors are fighting the application, the design for which has already won approval from the PZC's Design and Review Committee.

Criscenzo, McDonald, Colebrook and their neighbors are mounting what they hope will be a serious challenge to Chabad.

Yaffe, on the other hand, says simply all he is seeking is a place for his congregation to worship (they now operate out of a small Branford office), hold adult education and Sunday School classes and be good neighbors in a house of worship that he says will be devoted to doing "good deeds."

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Criscenzo has filed a lawsuit asking the New Haven Superior Court to enforce a covenant by the previous owner of the 5.3 acre, two parcel property (which includes a conservation easement) on which the synagogue and Rabbi's house would be built. The covenant says only a house or farm can be built or established on the property, which, if granted, would halt construction of the synagogue - should it win PZC approval - until the suit is settled one way or the other.

At the meeting at the community center, In addition to the 12 residents Marjorie Shansky of New Haven, Chabad's attorney, was also on hand. She called herself the meeting's "quarterback."

A model of the three-building synagogue, was on display as was a model of Criscenzo's house. It is some 60 feet away from the synagogue's first building. A driveway that would be used by Chabad if its application is approved, runs right along Criscenzo's property line.

Residents raised a number of questions, but the one that drew the most reaction was raised by Criscenzo herself.

"If you are my neighbor, there will be certain cultural differences," she said. "What if I want to have an outdoor party?" She wanted to know if she would have to consult with the rabbi if the hours that party lasted conflicted with synagogue activities.

"No matter when you do it, it's fine," Yaffe replied. "Even a pig barbecue; no problem. Live and let live," he said,

"And I don't see any cultural difference except perhaps for Mazza Ball soup."

A four feet high fence will be built on both sides of the property, Shansky explained, but she stressed Chabad was open to making it higher - say six or eight feet - if that was important to neighbors.

Yaffe also denied the synagogue would serve as a community center as well.

"No, it is a house of worship," he said.