Despite pleas from the residents of a Cape Breton community, to spare a popular green space in North Sydney, mayor and council voted to approve the sale of Archibald Wharf.

Councillor Mae Rowe was one of two councillors who voted against the sale of the wharf.

“If this is such a great thing,” Rowe says. “Why are we afraid to talk about it? Why don’t we talk to our people and hear what they have to say.”

On Friday, residents were able to have their say on the controversial sale.

Many say they want the popular green space to be preserved, but Mayor Cecil Clarke and council voted to approve the sale of the wharf to Canadian Maritime Engineering for $200,000.

The company plans to expand the wharf into a shipyard.

“We were kept in the dark,” says resident Pauleen Fogarty. “Today was really the first day that it was an open forum, and I really think it should have been delayed.”

“I’m very unhappy with the process,” explains Cape Breton Regional Municipality Councillor Eldon MacDonald. “I’ve always said there was not enough information and we were not involved as a council.”

Mayor Cecil Clarke disagrees and says he has no regrets about the process.

“I am for the development of our community,” he adds. “We are in new territory that we are trying to chart with the port, and there are going to be lessons learned along the way, but ultimately I believe we’ve done the right thing.”

At times, Friday’s meeting became heated.

One resident was escorted out of chambers by plain clothes police officers for making allegations of misconduct against Mayor Clarke and council, but for the most part, residents came prepared to save their waterfront property.

“I’ve very proud of the citizens of North Sydney,” says Dan Bunbury of the North Sydney Development Association. “What we saw was really heartwarming and awesome display of intelligence.”

According to the mayor, Canadian Maritime Engineering will contribute five million dollars for the transaction to proceed.

Clarke says its proof the company is serious about creating jobs in North Sydney.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.