The Town of Sidney has voted against opening up an Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter at Wakefield Manor after hundreds of residents spoke out against the proposal.

After more than three-and-a-half hours of discussion on Monday night, council voted down 4-3 against amending bylaws to open the town’s first EWR at Wakefield Manor.

Wakefield Manor on Third Street — which is owned by Beacon Community Services was proposed as the location for a 10 to 20-space EWR that the town’s fire chief estimated would only be open around 10 days a year.

The decision was made after dozens of residents on both sides of the issue, and a petition with nearly 400 signatures opposing the project was brought forward. Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith — who voted against the shelter — said they were “greatly disappoi

See Full Page