EMBRUN – The following is a brief summary of some of the agenda items discussed at the Township of Russell Council meeting held on Oct. 27, 2025. For a full accounting of the meeting you can view it on YouTube, or refer to the agenda, and minutes once they are posted on the Township website (Russell.ca).
Russell Township Council is setting its sights on the future with the adoption of several new plans and policies aimed at strengthening local development, protecting the environment, and improving how the municipality serves its residents.
At its most recent meeting, council approved the Community and Economic Development Strategic Plan, a five-year guide prepared by McSweeney & Associates. The plan outlines how the township will support growth and community initiatives in the years ahead.
On the economic side, the strategy focuses on attracting and keeping investment, helping local businesses and farms thrive, and improving communication between the township and potential investors. The community development portion looks at ways to enhance residents’ quality of life, with attention to community engagement, volunteer support, affordable housing, physician recruitment, and tourism.
One of the goals of the plan is to provide direction for how Russell can continue to grow while remaining a vibrant and welcoming place to live.
“The plan is great,” said Mayor Mike Tarnowski. “The situational analysis that comes with it is an excellent tool for us as well in terms of really having a good, refreshed understanding of our community as it continues to grow. So, I thought that was a really nice piece of information to have.”
Council also adopted a new Tree Removal and Replacement Policy, which sets clear rules for managing trees on township-owned or managed properties such as parks, road allowances, and municipal facilities. Under the policy, any tree that must be removed will need to be replaced with three new ones — a 1:3 ratio aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity.
A new by-law was also passed to allow temporary sidewalk closures over the winter months at several locations where sidewalks currently do not connect to existing routes. Those locations include:
- Valoris Street, from the Nature Trail to 118 metres south
- Pedestrian crossings at the following roundabouts:
- St-Pierre Road and St-Guillaume Road
- Limoges Road and Route 300
- St-Guillaume Road and Notre-Dame Street
- County Road 3 (Notre-Dame Street) and County Road 5 (Limoges Road)
Council accepted a report detailing proposed amendments to its Procedural By-law No. 2021-127. The proposed changes will be discussed at the next regular council meeting on Mon., Nov. 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. There was no discussion at this time as this was just notice that the matter would be discussed at the next council meeting.
Terry Tinkess is a professional photographer, educator and journalist. He has been making a living with a camera and keyboard since 1999 and has been featured in such publications as The Ottawa Citizen, Cornwall Standard Freeholder, The Globe and Mail, The Miami Herald, Ottawa Construction News, The Ontario Construction Report, Ontario Home Builder Magazine, Reed Construction Data, Canadian Potato Business and most recently, The Record and Eastern Ontario AgriNews. Terry lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, Mia the anxious Pittie and cats Wally and Chubbers.
