Winter Mailbox Issues
Damage to Mailboxes
This is a common problem and a source of much confusion. Each street has a public right of way (ROW); this ROW may extend 6 to 10 feet or more beyond the paved surface. In most cases people do not know this exists or they simply ignore the fact and plant or place objects in the ROW. Generally speaking, the Town is not responsible for any type of damage to any item including mailboxes located in this area. Residents should review their property records and become familiar with actual boundaries. Mailboxes should be placed as far back from the road as practical, set at a height of 42 inches and equipped with reflectors on all sides. It is also prudent to check posts for rot or deterioration, particularly at the base to insure they will not break under the weight of snow.
Our plow drivers are warned to take all precautions to avoid striking mailboxes with the wind of the plow. Below are some tips for mailbox placement to help reduce the chances of damage during winter plowing:
Place reflective material on the side of the box visible to approaching traffic, also, 4 inch high letters to identify the address is recommended to assist emergency vehicles.
Mailbox post size must not exceed 4 inch by 4 inch for a wooden post or 2 inch diameter for a steel pipe post for roadside barrier safety. Posts that are more substantial in construction are considered "deadly fixed objects" and are not permitted within the Town Way.
Mailboxes should be installed at least 42 inches high to provide clearance for the plow wing. We recommend the use of an extended arm type post with a free-swinging suspended mailbox. This allows snowplows to sweep near or under boxes without damage to supports and provides easy access to the boxes by carrier and customers.
For curbed roadways set the mailbox back at the far edge of the road shoulder to provide the maximum possible roadway clearance (2+ feet). For curbed roads the face of the mailbox should be 1 foot back from the curb face.
Your participation and cooperation in complying with the above will be greatly appreciated by your rural carrier, postal service and the Town of Searsmont.
In the event your mailbox is damaged by a Town plow we ask you to make any needed repairs.
The Town will not replace or reimburse any mailboxes. State of Maine law views mailboxes as an encroachment in the public way, put there at the Owner's risk, and municipalities are not legally liable for any damage or repairs to mailboxes due to plowing operations.
This is a common problem and a source of much confusion. Each street has a public right of way (ROW); this ROW may extend 6 to 10 feet or more beyond the paved surface. In most cases people do not know this exists or they simply ignore the fact and plant or place objects in the ROW. Generally speaking, the Town is not responsible for any type of damage to any item including mailboxes located in this area. Residents should review their property records and become familiar with actual boundaries. Mailboxes should be placed as far back from the road as practical, set at a height of 42 inches and equipped with reflectors on all sides. It is also prudent to check posts for rot or deterioration, particularly at the base to insure they will not break under the weight of snow.
Our plow drivers are warned to take all precautions to avoid striking mailboxes with the wind of the plow. Below are some tips for mailbox placement to help reduce the chances of damage during winter plowing:
Place reflective material on the side of the box visible to approaching traffic, also, 4 inch high letters to identify the address is recommended to assist emergency vehicles.
Mailbox post size must not exceed 4 inch by 4 inch for a wooden post or 2 inch diameter for a steel pipe post for roadside barrier safety. Posts that are more substantial in construction are considered "deadly fixed objects" and are not permitted within the Town Way.
Mailboxes should be installed at least 42 inches high to provide clearance for the plow wing. We recommend the use of an extended arm type post with a free-swinging suspended mailbox. This allows snowplows to sweep near or under boxes without damage to supports and provides easy access to the boxes by carrier and customers.
For curbed roadways set the mailbox back at the far edge of the road shoulder to provide the maximum possible roadway clearance (2+ feet). For curbed roads the face of the mailbox should be 1 foot back from the curb face.
Your participation and cooperation in complying with the above will be greatly appreciated by your rural carrier, postal service and the Town of Searsmont.
In the event your mailbox is damaged by a Town plow we ask you to make any needed repairs.
The Town will not replace or reimburse any mailboxes. State of Maine law views mailboxes as an encroachment in the public way, put there at the Owner's risk, and municipalities are not legally liable for any damage or repairs to mailboxes due to plowing operations.
