News and Public Notices

Flags at Half-Mast for Brian Mulroney

The flags at all Municipal buildings in the Township of Russell will be lowered to half-mast as per the Half-Masting and Raising of Flags Policy, in honour of The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney P.C. C.C. G.O.Q., 18th Prime Minister of Canada, who passed away on February 29, 2024.

Mr. Mulroney served the citizens of Canada as Prime Minister from 1984-1993.

Flags will remain at half-mast until sunset on the day of the funeral (date to be determined).

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Winter Parking Reminders – March

A pilot project continues for the 2023-2024 winter season.

In November and March, the on-street parking ban is reduced to alert-based only (since there is historically less snow during these months). Register for our parking ban notices. During these alerts, no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain on a street between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Any person who does so is liable to a fine and/or will have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense.

During a winter...

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Council Meeting Highlights – February 26, 2024

Here are some highlights from the February 26, 2024, Council meeting. For more information on these and on the other topics discussed at this or other meetings, meeting schedule, agenda and minutes are available on our website.

The video of the full meeting can be viewed here.

During the Council meeting, the Council deferred a decision on Question Period on Meeting of the Day while the administration works on developing a Public...

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Pink Shirt Day 2024

The Township of Russell is committed to a welcoming and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated and where everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society, and live with respect, dignity, and freedom from discrimination.

February 28, 2024 is Pink Shirt Day. We encourage you to wear a pink shirt a symbol of solidarity against bullying and to communicate to others that they are not alone. Participating is as simple and easy as wearing pink in your hair, as a...

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Russell Township Council Defers Decision on Question Period Amendment

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

February 27, 2024 – Russell Township Council convened on February 26, 2024, to deliberate various matters, among them, the proposed amendment to the procedural Bylaw 2021-127, specifically focusing on Item 10.3.11 regarding the removal of the Question Period on Meeting of the Day.

Following additional information received from the administration and recognizing the importance of implementing a Public Engagement Policy, the Council chose to defer the...

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Get Notified of Events and News in your Community

Want to know what is happening in our area? Our community calendar is the best place to look. You can also receive a weekly summary of events every Friday.

NEW: You can now fine tune what you’d like to be notified about by selecting the categories that interest you.

• Events
• Council, Committee and Public Meetings
• Parks and Recreation: Opening and closures, registration
• Payments Deadlines: Dog tags, property taxes, water and sewer
• Waste Collection: know when collection dates are delayed or select any of...

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Russell Township Addresses Concerns Over Procedural By-Law

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

February 22, 2024 – The Russell Township Council and administration are aware of materials being distributed in our community that do not fully represent the complexities or the intent behind the proposed amendments to Council's Procedural By-law #2021-127.

The Township wishes to address these concerns by clarifying that no final decision has been made regarding changes to the public's ability to ask questions during open meetings. It is our responsibility...

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Half-Load Restrictions in effect as of February 28, 2024

Half-load restrictions are put into effect for the spring thawing season. This affects load vehicles that are heavier than 5,000 kilograms or five tonnes per axle.

Signs are installed on all municipal roads where these weight restrictions apply. Road and weather conditions are routinely reviewed to determine the end date of weight restrictions.

Emergency vehicles are exempt.

Temporary restrictions on heavy weight vehicles help avoid damage to Township roads during the spring season. In early...

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Council Meeting Highlights – February 12, 2024

Here are some highlights from the February 12, 2024, Council meeting. For more information, meeting schedule, agenda and minutes are available on our website.

The video of the full meeting can be viewed here.

Proclamation and Flag Raising – Scout Guide Week Feb 18-24, 2024 (Item 10a)

• Resolved that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Russell do hereby proclaim February 18-24, 2024 as Scout-Guide of Canada Week in the Township of Russell; and that the Township of Russell raise the...

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Embrun and Russell Fire Departments Unite as One

We are pleased to announce the merger of our two esteemed fire departments. Effective January 29, 2024, Station 11, formerly known as the Embrun Fire Department for the past 105 years, and Station 12, previously known as the Russell Fire Department for 109 years, will now operate as a unified entity under the name Russell Township Fire Services.

This strategic decision aligns with the directives outlined in the Russell Township Master Fire Plan 2020-2024 and the Russell Township Strategic Plan...

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A Preview of the Recreation Complex

The recreation centre is taking shape! We're happy to share this video flythrough showing the exciting amenities this new, state-of-the-art facility has to offer.

This visualization highlights the community hall, the rinks, and the pool, with special attention to the flexible, inclusive village of dressing rooms where sports will be for everyone.

The construction documents are about 75% complete. We'll have one final design update ready for Council at the end of March, targeting a construction...

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Black History Month 2024

Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.

The 2024 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future.

The theme aligns with the 10th year of the International...

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Diane Ceponkus Receives Community Builder Award

Council had the pleasure of presenting a Community Builder Award to Diane Ceponkus last night for her active participation in our art culture. Diane is a founding member of the Write It Now (WIN) group, a collection of residents who get together on a bi-weekly basis to share their written stories. Through hard work and dedication, Diane revitalized the group into a vibrant organization that meets the needs of a diverse group of individuals. In addition to her leadership of the WIN group, Diane...

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Danger of Snow Forts and Snow Banks

Playing in the snow is fun, but kids should never build snow forts or tunnels near a roadway or at the end of a driveway. This is extremely dangerous. When snow equipment pushes or clears the snowbanks to make the roadway safer, snow forts can collapse and trap, or, seriously injure a child.

Help your kids choose play areas away from roads and driveways. Let’s keep winter a fun and safe season for everyone!

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Russell Township and SDG Counties Looking to Match with Medical Professionals

Russell Township is proud to join Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry (SDG) Counties in the Great River Docs campaign “Date My County”. This campaign aims to showcase the wealth of healthcare positions that are available in our region and to help some of our medical institutions match with potential candidates.

Finding a love match is hard and we are hoping you can spread the word that as of today, Date My County is back! In the 2024 iteration of this popular resident attraction contest, we are hoping...

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Outdoor Rinks Open

We are happy to announce that the Embrun outdoor rink is now open for the season! The Russell and Marionville rinks will open tomorrow morning after an overnight flooding. Thank you to Russell Township Fire Services for their assistance in opening the rinks.

You can find our rinks at the following locations:

• Embrun – 6 Blais Street
• Russell – 1084 Concession Street
• Marionville – 210 Marion Street

The condition of outdoor rinks is completely dependent on the weather. The status of OPEN or CLOSED can...

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Recreation Trail Grooming

The full length of the recreational trail will be groomed throughout the winter months for your enjoyment! This work is completed by South Nation Conservation Authority. Grooming will begin no later than 5 days after the end of each snowfall event of at least 10 centimetres or more.

We remind residents that it is prohibited for any motorized vehicles from utilizing the trail which includes four-wheelers, side by side and snowmobiles.

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Official Opening of St. Mother Teresa Daycare

Russell Township is delighted to announce the official opening of St. Mother Teresa Daycare on Monday, January 15, 2024. Located at 1035 Concession Street in Russell, within St. Mother Teresa Catholic School. The daycare is set to provide a nurturing environment for the community's youngest members.

The daycare proudly introduces a preschool group catering to 24 children aged 30 months to 4 years old. In addition, one kindergarten, and one school-age group have also been established at half...

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Winter Reminders

With winter weather now here, here are some friendly reminders for our residents to helps ensure a safe winter.

• Move your basketball net off the street. It should not be within the road allowance.
• Keep snow on your property, and don’t push it into streets, sidewalks, or in ditches (as per in the Highway Traffic Act).
• Your garbage and recycling bins need to be visible in your driveway, and not on the street, shoulder, or sidewalk.
• To avoid shoveling the driveway again when the plow passes by, clear...

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2024 Budget Adoption

Russell Township is proud to announce the adoption of its 2024 budget, a plan that reflects our commitment to stewarding the community through the complexities of the current economic landscape. The Council's endorsement of report FS-26-2023 on December 11, 2023, marks a significant step in addressing the dual challenges of rising interest rates and inflation.

In response to these economic pressures, the 2024 budget includes a carefully considered 4% tax increase. This measure is essential to...

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