Mailboxes knocked over by snow coming off a plow blade no longer will be replaced by the city under a new policy.
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved the mailbox policy presented by Scott Redigar, public works director, and attorney Alex Kutanovski after learning the city replaced 96 more mailboxes than snowplow drivers struck in 2015.
Kutanovski said the policy follows U.S. Postal Service guidelines for the proper installation of mailboxes. It also provides for replacement of mailboxes, up to $150, struck by city snowplows.
“The policy ensures mailboxes are property mounted to avoid false claims,” Kutanovski said.
Redigar said the city replaced 105 mailboxes in 2015, nine of which were struck by a plow. The rest were knocked over by rolling snow, he said.
“We shouldn’t have to replace mailboxes that are decrepit,” Redigar said.
Prior to snowplow season, routes were reviewed and some residences where mailboxes were found to be unstable or mounted too close to the street were notified of the problems.
“We actually had to knock on doors and tell people their mailbox was in the street,” Redigar said.
Residents who believe their damaged mailbox should be replaced by the city can file a claim in writing with the public works department. All claims should include the name, address, phone number and email address of the claimant, plus the date and time of the loss and photos.
“I think over time it will reduce the number of mailboxes replaced if we ensure they are, in fact, mounted properly,” Kutanovski said.
Claims will be reviewed by the public works department and coverage will be determined at the sole discretion of the city, according to the new policy. Those replacing mailboxes will have to provide receipts and will be reimbursed up to $150. Residents are responsible for replacing or repairing any mailbox damaged by a city plow within a reasonable time.
Damage to monument-style mailboxes made out of brick would be handled by the city’s insurance process, said city attorney David Nicholls. If a truck hits a monument mailbox, there also will be damage to the truck.
Redigar said that has happened once and damage to the mailbox was about $2,400.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
