EMBRUN – Residents of the Township of Russell will soon have a new way to participate in local government without attending council meetings in person.

The township has introduced a process allowing residents, property owners and business owners to submit questions in advance about items appearing on upcoming council meeting agendas. The questions will then be read aloud and answered during the meeting when possible.

Municipal officials say the change is intended to make participation more accessible for people who may be unable to attend meetings or who prefer to prepare questions ahead of time.

Questions must be submitted by noon on the day of the meeting and must relate directly to an item listed on the published agenda. Residents can submit questions through an online form, by email or by delivering a written letter to the Clerk’s Office.

To be considered, submissions must include the sender’s name, use respectful language and remain relevant to the agenda item being discussed. Anonymous questions will not be accepted.

The Clerk’s Office will review all submissions before they are approved for inclusion during the meeting. Questions that do not meet the township’s guidelines may be rejected.

Approved questions will be read during the “Public Questions on the Meeting of the Day” portion of council meetings and may be answered by council members or municipal staff. If a question concerns an item added to the agenda during the meeting itself, the response may be deferred until the next council session.

While questions and answers will form part of the live broadcast and official recording of the meeting, they will not appear in the written meeting minutes.

Township officials are encouraging residents to review council agendas regularly and use the new process as another way to stay informed and involved in local decision-making.