Dudley Zoning Board Denies Permit For Muslim Cemetery

DUDLEY (CBS) -- Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Dudley unanimously voted Thursday against the development of a Muslim cemetery on what was once farm land.

Fifty-five acres of land on Corbin Street is currently under agreement to be sold to the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester, contingent on the society receiving a special permit from the zoning board.  Among its plans, the society called for using 12.4 acres as a cemetery.

"The main basis of the denial was the applicant did not, in the Town's judgment, have proper legal standing," said Dudley Town Administrator Greg Balukonis.

The Islamic Society of Greater Worcester says it plans to appeal the decision.