EMBRUN – At their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 26, 2024, Russell Council dealt with a few issues that covered a wide range of topics of concern to residents.

On the agenda was an item for Council’s approval was what can only be considered as a “good news” item: the renaming of the Russell baseball fields to honour two Russell Lions Club members who played a significant role in the field’s creation.

A motion was passed that the Russell baseball fields be renamed “Terrain Gordon Saunders Field” and “Terrain Don Graham Field” in honour of the two long-time members in recognition of the role they played in the creation and the subsequent maintenance of those fields, in partnership with the Russell Agricultural Society. This effort continued up until the Township took over the management and maintenance of these fields through a service agreement with the Russell Agricultural Society.

Councillor Jamie Laurin spoke to the motion prior to a vote being taken. “I’d just like to state some of the reasoning behind the naming of the of these two ball diamonds is to recognize the over 100 Years of public service and public volunteerism and commitment to this community that these two gentlemen gave to us, so that is the main reason why I make this recommendation,” said Coun. Laurin. “I’m urging Council to support this motion, thank you. And I would also like to recognize the Saunders family in the audience today. I don’t know if the Graham family is here or not, because I know they’re out of town, but I’m told that they will be at the naming ceremony should Council approve it.

“The Russell Agricultural Society and the Lions Club also offered their support to this,” added Coun. Laurin.

Mayor Mike Tarnowski added that the motion also went through the parks and rec committee and was supported by that committee as well.

Prior to the vote, Coun. Laurin had requested an amendment that would provide a naming convention to all ball diamonds in the Township that are either owned or managed by the Township. The naming convention would be “Ter (name) Field.”

Both the amendment and the motion were approved. A naming ceremony will be held once administration and the agricultural society determine the proper location for the signs.

Council also dealt with measures to enhance safety for students walking to school, by establishing new “No Stopping” zones at school crossings. On North Russell Road, the restrictions are in effect at all times. On First Avenue and the New York Central Recreational Trail parking area in Russell, the restrictions are in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. “No Stopping” means that vehicles are not permitted to stop, even to pick up or drop-off, within these zones.

Additionally, stopping within a school crossing is strictly prohibited, and no signage is required to enforce this rule. This measure aims to improve visibility for students, school crossing guards, and drivers in an area that has previously been the subject of numerous safety complaints and concerns.

While Council indicated their support for the measures, they acknowledged that the change will not be without some issues as it will require modification of some existing behaviours. This was summed up well in the comments of Councillor Marc Lalonde.

“It’s an area I know well, I go down that street very often during the school year. I think this is going to be ambitious to make that a no stopping Zone. I imagine and I guess the question would be to Bylaws, do we plan to pay particular attention to the enforcement of this new provision because it’s a very natural operation for the parents to come up that street, stop in the middle, stop on the side, stop on the grass, stop on people’s lawns, get out, go in, bring their kids down into the schoolyard and come back out again.

“I could see this as being a particular challenge from the onset of its implementation. I wholeheartedly agree with it, I just wonder if there’s any comments maybe from Bylaw, what the plan is on enforcement?”

The information provided to Council from Bylaw and Enforcement was that there would be at least a fifteen day period where the emphasis would be on education and getting people to recognize that the change is necessary to provide an acceptable level of safety for the children coming and going from school.

Councillor Lisa Deacon questioned if extending the no stopping area a bit farther to the library property would make more sense. Following further discussion, and a short break so that the correct distance could be determined, the amendment and the amended motion were voted on and approved.

The next Council meeting will take place on Mon., Sept.  9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.