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Above, architectural renderings of the new Temple Etz Chaim planned for a subdivision off of Washington Street.
Folks paying attention to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Conservation Commission over the last year or so have doubtless heard of Olam Estates, a small subdivision planned off of Washington Street.
One of the features of the discussions involving the project was always the lot ‘reserved for religious uses.' Given the project's proximity to Franklin’s Temple Etz Chaim, a connection might have been suspected. And, indeed, according to Rabbi Thomas Alpert, there most definitely is a connection.
He explains that from the Temple’s inception on Washington Street, the building has been a problem. It is a house, and the Temple is the second owner. “It was never built as a synagogue and we didn’t spend a lot of effort or money to retrofit it,” said Alpert. There is a sanctuary which has a maximum capacity of about 40 people. It can accommodate regular weekly services and Bar or Bat Mitzvahs “but nothing special.”
"When we first moved in, the concept was that this would be a first step toward a process of adding on and expanding; putting in a bigger sanctuary and a classroom," Alpert explained. But somehow things never seemed to work out quite right for those expansion plans.
Alpert credits Andrew Rubenstein, a real estate attorney professionally, for coming up with the concept for Olam Estates. Rubenstein currently service as president of the congregation.
“Andrew came up with this plan to work with a builder who we are comfortable with and then to subdivide our land into four lots, keeping one for our use and selling the other three,” Alpert explained.
And that’s exactly the plan that has been getting tweaked between the Temple and its team and the town’s officials and regulatory boards.
At this point, it looks like everything is moving forward, smoothly.
“We now hope to break ground on a building in the spring or summer of this year,” said Alpert.
