Temple of Witchcraft Plan Approved

Planning Board gives the OK despite concerns of local residents.

The Eagle-Tribune reported the controversial Temple of Witchcraft plan to expand their operation at a mostly residential location on North Policy Street has received the approval of the Salem Planning Board. The temple has 100 to 150 local members, the paper reported. Locals have been most concerned about traffic in an already-congested area near Canobie Lake Park but a study showed little additional traffic would be generated as a result of the temple, according to the paper.

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You Ask...Patch Answers

Who Owns the Rockingham Woodcraft Property?

The latest edition of "You Ask...Patch Answers."

Welcome to the latest edition of our new weekly feature called "You Ask...Patch Answers." The title is self-explanatory: Salem Patch readers can ask us a question and we'll get you the answer every week. This week we take a look at a property in Salem generally considered an eyesore that might have a promising future. One of our Facebook followers posted the following question on our page: "Does anyone know who owns that old vacant lumber yard in rte 28, next to the old ultimate electronics store?" The answer: Emmett Horgan, according to the town's Vision Appraisal online assessor's database. Horgan, the owner of the Rockingham Honda and Toyota dealerships in Salem, purchased the Rockingham Woodcraft land in September 2011 for $2.55 …

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You Ask...Patch Answers

What Business is Going at Taylor St/Route 28?

Introducing our new weekly feature: "You Ask...Patch Answers."

Welcome to the first edition of our new weekly feature called "You Ask...Patch Answers." The title is self-explanatory: Salem Patch readers can ask us a question and we'll get you the answer every week. For this week, we're going to discuss a question that you may be wondering if you drive on North Broadway on a regular basis. One of our Facebook followers sent us a message recently asking the following question: "Do you know what is going to be built on the corner of route 28 an Taylor St?" The answer? A used car dealership, according to the Salem NH Town Projects website. The Salem Planning Board has approved the site at 202 North Broadway for a 3,500 square-foot used car dealership. Site plans for the space are available here. Another …

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Planning Board Gives Hindu Temple Green Light

The Eagle-Tribune reports construction will begin in the spring.

The Eagle-Tribune reported the Salem Planning Board has given its approval for the proposed Lowell Road Hindu Krishna temple (plans can be viewed to the right) that has created some controversy amongst neighbors in the area. According to the paper, construction on the temple will begin in the spring. The paper reported that residents objected to the size of the temple and the new noise that will be created with more people in the area. Engineer David Jordan of MHF Design in Salem told the paper three people objected to the temple during last week's Planning Board meeting.

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Riley Reid

10:25 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

@MRS MYEGGO; Not that it's any of your business,, but I am 35, I live in a very nice neighborhood of 3 brd room ranch style homes, I pay my own bills and oh I have forgotten, I have a second home up in Hartland VT. Bottom line is my husband and I have worked hard for all we have and i'm not going to apologize for it!   more ›

Concerns Raised Over Temple of Witchcraft Plan

Residents criticize plan for facility that would add traffic to road with enough traffic already.

The Union Leader reported the plans to bring a Temple of Witchcraft facility to a residential building at 49 North Policy St., in Salem drew a round of criticism from neighbors at Tuesday night's Planning Board meeting where the plan was considered. The Temple of Witchcraft, a nonprofit religious organization started in 1998 recognized by the state and the federal government, has a presence in Salem at 2 Main St. Their potential move has drawn the ire of North Policy Street residents, who fear a road already faced with major traffic issues especially in the summer months due to Canobie Lake Park will face even more congestion.

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Group Managing Fidelity Wealth Plans Salem Expansion

The Boston Herald is reporting a company that manages billions for Fidelity Investments' controlling shareholders wants to expand in Salem, but could jeopardize Keewaydin extension.

The Boston Herald is reporting that the Crosby Group, a business that manages billions of dollars for Fidelity Investments chairman Ned Johnson and his extended family, is planning on expanding its Salem operation by adding a three-story office building on Keewaydin Drive that would add about 200 employees. According to the report, the plan would supersede the approved plan of the landowner to extend Keewaydin, which is located near Exit 2 of Interstate 93, and build a coprorate park that would create nearly 900 jobs. Town Manager Keith Hickey told the Herald that the Crosby Group opportunity could pose "a stimulant for additional economic development" in Salem while Town Planner Ross Moldoff said "security will be paramount" and that's "…

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New Ride Coming for Canobie Lake Park

Amusement park will head to the Planning Board this week for approval.

The Eagle-Tribune reports Canobie Lake Park will be seeking approval from the Salem Planning Board this week to gain approval for a new the park hopes to have open this fall. The ride is called the Equinox and it has three mechanical arms that will spin riders around 75 feet up in the air. Town planner Ross Moldoff doesn't anticipate and problems for the ride getting approval and told the Eagle-Tribune no Canobie ride has ever failed to get approval. A park spokesman told the paper the Equinox will replace the Matterhorn, which was retired in 2008.

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Gray Sentenced to 7 to 14 Years in Prison

Former Salem Planning Board member was convicted of a sexual assault charge earlier this year.

The Eagle-Tribune reports former Salem Planning Board member Jeffrey Gray was sentenced to seven to 14 years in state prison Wednesday after he was convicted of rape and assault charges against a New York woman at his Windham home in March 2011. Gray, 50, was convicted after a trial that took place in Rockingham County Superior Court over several days in June. Gray was found guilty of one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault and one count of simple assault but not guilty on six other aggravated felonious sexual assault counts and a kidnapping charge. Gray responded to the woman's ad looking for a place to live on Craigslist. He took the woman in and after three days the woman alleged Gray raped and held her against her will. The …

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Approval Granted For New Frozen Yogurt Cafe

A 40-seat restaurant is expected to be located ay 517 South Broadway.

A new frozen yogurt cafe appears to be on the way to a Salem plaza near the border with Methuen, Mass. On Tuesday night, the Planning Board gave unanimous conditional approval to a site plan for a new 40-seat frozen yogurt cafe at 517 South Broadway. The cafe will be located in a 2,000-square-feet space that formerly housed a tanning salon. It will be between Dellaria Salons and the Sherwin-Williams paint store. It's also the same plaza that houses businesses like AutoZone and Stachey's Pizza. A conditional use permit was granted by the Planning Board because of the number of parking spaces available in the plaza lot, which was determined by the board to be enough. Would a new frozen yogurt cafe at this location be a business you'd visit? …

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Juror Speaks Out on Jeffrey Gray Trial

The prosecution did a better job of presenting the case, according to the juror.

A juror for the kidnapping and sexual assault trial of former Salem Planning Board member Jeffrey Gray told Patch there wasn't enough evidence to convict Gray on more than one of the seven rape charges against him. Gray, 50, is awaiting sentencing on that charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault and another charge of simple assault that took place in March 2011 against a 35-year-old New York City woman who was seven-and-a-half months pregnant at the time. The Rockingham County Superior Court jury found him guilty on those two charges June 19 but not guilty on six other aggravated felonious sexual assault counts and a kidnapping charge. Gray responded to the woman's ad looking for a place to live on Craigslist. He took the woman in …

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