News

Jewish Heritage Month

May is National Jewish Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the richness of Jewish culture in Canada.

We encourage you to learn more about the courage and resilience of the Jewish community throughout history. Ask our Township Library staff for some reading suggestions!

Road Closure — St Andre Road, from Route 500 to Marionville Road

Please take note of the following road closure.

• When: Monday, May 30, 2022 at 7:00a.m. to Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 4:00p.m.
• Where: St Andre Road from Route 500 to Marionville Road
• Why: Culvert Replacement

Detour Information: Please see the map from www.Municipal511.ca for detour information, if any apply.

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Long Weekend Storm Outages

Township staff were out today to check on residents and municipal infrastructure. Most of our community has power restored, but there are still a few areas without power.

Utility companies have their crews working hard to resolve the issue - please follow your hydro service provider for updates. If you have an emergency during this time, please call 911.

If you need to contact the Township during the long weekend, we have an after-hours number at 613-443-3066 extension 8.

Take care and stay safe.

Asian Heritage Month

The Month of May is Asian Heritage Month. It is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the many contributions and achievements Canadians of Asian descent have achieved, throughout history and today.

Learn more about Asian Heritage Month on the Government of Canada's website. You can also ask our Township Library staff for some reading suggestions!

Water Disruption Resolved at Corvinelli Crescent

May 18, 2022 — Water service has been turned back on at Corvinelli Crescent. It was previously shut off due to a water valve break earlier today.

2021 Financial Statements Now Available

As per to Section 295 (1) a) ii) of the Municipal Act, 2001, copies of the 2021 audited consolidated financial statements for the Township of Russell are now available to any taxpayer or resident of the municipality. For further information, contact Richard Godin, Treasurer/Director of Finance at 613-443-3066 extension 2308 or by email at finances@russell.ca.

Construction of Roundabout Near Vars Begins

A roundabout is being built at the intersection of St-Guillaume Street, St-Pierre Road, and Burton Road near Vars/Highway 417. Work will start the week of May 16, 2022 and is expected to be completed this fall.

Road access is expected to remain open throughout construction.

This is a joint project between the Township of Russell and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

Parks and Playgrounds Now Open

Enjoy the summer weather at one of our local parks! All 23 parks and play structures in the Township of Russell have been inspected and are ready for you to enjoy. Not sure what parks might be nearby? Check out the Park Maps on our Maps webpage!

If you prefer being out on the water, the boat launch is now also open. Please avoid the grassed picnic area at the boat launch– maintenance work is ongoing.

The splash pad at Yahoo Park is now open every day from 9:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. at Yahoo Park...

2022: Year of the Garden

Township of Russell Council has proclaimed 2022 as Year of the Garden!

Gardens and gardening contribute to the development of our community in terms of health, quality of life and environmental challenges. They also have greatly helped us face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Year of the Garden highlights and celebrates the important contribution of gardeners, our local gardening organizations, horticultural professionals and local horticultural businesses that contribute to gardening...

Road Improvements on Hamilton Road, St-André Road, and Route 400 Begin May 9, 2022

Road improvements begin today on Hamilton Road, St-André Road, and Route 400!

Hamilton Road is getting completely reconstructed from Craig Street to Route 200. Crews will be removing 2.1km of pavement, adding stone, and a layer of asphalt. There will be wide-paved shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists. This project is budgeted at $552,129.

St-André Road will have 4.4km of pavement removed and replaced from Route 400 to Marionville Road. This resurfacing project is budgeted for $857,150.

Route 400...

It's "No-Mow-May"!

It is vital for many flowers, that we perceive as weeds, to be around when bees emerge from their nests in May.

Support our local bee population by participating in "No-Mow-May". All you need to do is let your lawn grow for the entire month of May.

The Township of Russell, with the support of the Environmental Advisory Committee, encourage you to participate!

As part of the initiative, our Public Safety and Enforcement Officers do not enforce grass cutting from May 1 to 31 each year.

Hydrant Flushing Begins May 10, 2022

Starting May 10, 2022, Public Utilities operators will begin flushing hydrants across the Township. The Public Utilities Department open up fire hydrants of the water distribution system to make sure the system is working optimally.

During hydrant testing:

• You may see coloured water and loss in water pressure during the flushing of a hydrant in your area. We recommend that you do not drink or wash laundry with coloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it may stain your laundry.
• If...

Mayor's Statement on the Russell Namesake Rededication

Office of the Mayor

May 3, 2022

Russell Namesake Rededication

Dear Residents:

Two years ago, the Township of Russell came face to face with an unexpected reality, and Council decided to keep our name “Russell” but change who our namesake honours. After receiving a letter from the Russell Namesake Rededication Committee last night, Council made good on that promise.

We have officially removed Peter Russell as the honour of our namesake. Council chose that moving forward, rather than honouring one...

Emergency Preparedness Week 2022: Be Ready for Anything

Council has declared May 1 to 7, 2022, as Emergency Preparedness Week.

Emergency Preparedness Week encourages Canadians to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:

• Know the risks
• Make a plan
• Get an emergency kit

The last federal survey conducted in 2014 on emergency preparedness and resilience in Canada found that almost three-quarters of Canadians are confident about their ability to manage emergencies. Still, less than half of Canadians have a home...

Road Closure — St Joseph Road, from Notre-Dame Street

Please take note of the following road closure.

• When: Thursday, April 28, 2022 Until Repairs Are Complete
• Where: St Joseph Road, from Notre-Dame Street to 300 meters South of Notre Dame Street
• Why: Emergency Infrastructure Repairs

Detour Information: Please see the map from www.Municipal511.ca for detour information, if any apply

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Flags at Half-Mast for National Day of Mourning

Flags will be half-masted on all municipal buildings and locations in the Township of Russell from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, April 28, 2022, to mark National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace.

Want to run in the municipal election? Nominations Open May 2!

Starting May 2, 2022, residents may register as candidates for the offices of Mayor, Councillor, School Board Trustee, or Police Village of Russell Trustee in the upcoming Municipal Election 2022. Candidates have until August 19, 2022 by 2:00p.m. to file or withdraw their nomination.

To submit your name as a candidate you must file the following with the Municipal Clerk:

• a completed Nomination Form (Form 1) and the nomination fee
• a completed Endorsement of Nomination Form (Form 2)

Visit our 

Township Appoints Temporary Full-Time Fire Chief

Embrun, Ontario, April 19, 2022 — The Township of Russell has appointed Bruce Armstrong, Fire Chief for the Russell station, as a temporary Full-Time Fire Chief.

Council approved the appointment at its meeting on Monday April 19, 2022. The temporary appointment will begin May 1, 2022, for a period of one year.

Chief Armstrong has been with the Township Fire Department for over 30 years, when he joined as a volunteer firefighter in 1992. He has held the role of Fire Chief for the Russell Station...

Township of Russell Hires New Chief Administrative Officer

Embrun, Ontario, April 19, 2022 — The Township of Russell has named a new Chief Administrative Officer.

Council appointed Dan Faughnan as the Township’s new Chief Administrative Officer at the regular meeting of April 19, 2022, following a long recruitment process that began in December 2021.

A resident of Russell since 2001, Mr. Faughnan’s background includes many years in the national security space as a Senior Executive Manager with Public Safety Canada. Prior to that, he worked over 15 years...

Recreation Complex Now in Design Phase

The Township of Russell’s Recreation Complex project is moving into the design phase.

At the council meeting of Monday, April 4, 2022, Council reviewed and approved the Recreation Complex layout plan, financial plan, and gave approval to move forward with a detailed design. The design will include detailed drawings for the structure, façade, landscaping, lighting, heating, cooling, and other engineering elements.

“After many public consultations and discussions at the Council table, we now have a...