HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-16-81 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Director's Report to Public Works Committee of January 20, 1981.
ITEM: WD-16-81.
DATE: January 19, 1981.
SUBJECT: Mailboxes on Municipal Road Allowances.
BACKGROUND:
The attached memorandum has been received in reference to damages
to, and/or obstruction of, mailboxes as a result of winter
maintenance operations.
REPORT:
Each winter the Public Works Department receives complaints in
regard to mailboxes being damaged, or delivery obstructed, and
it is my understanding that some Municipalities have policies
relative to mailbox location on Municipal road allowances and,
in fact, the Ministry of Transportation & Communications also
have guidelines and criteria governing same.
While it would be beneficial to establish a policy regarding
mailbox location(s) , it may be difficult to enforce same for
existing mailboxes unless the Town undertook to relocate same
to conform with policy.
In addition, the Post Office, which places 'group' boxes, would
need to be advised of any suggestion for regulations, and it
is possible this agency may have certain criteria in this
regard.
RECOMMENDATION:
` I
THAT a Policy for Mailboxes which are, or may be, located on
Town ro ert be
P P y, prepared for Committee consideration and, �
further, that the proposed policy conform with postal regul-
ations as to location and height, and that, upon adoption of
a policy, any damages to mailboxes as a result of winter
maintenance, or other, operations, shall not be the respons-
ibility of the Town.
i
MEMORANDUM
TO: J. Dunham, Director of Public Works.
FROM: Councillor Ann Cowman.
SUBJECT: Mailboxes on Municipal Road Allowances.
DATE: January 9, 1981 .
This week I had occasion to call your office in regard to
a complaint I received that a mailbox had been obstructed
by snow due to plowing operations. As it transpired, this
particular instance was as a result of maintenance done by
the City of Oshawa and, thus, I relayed the message to Mr.
F. Crome, Commissioner of Works .
Mr. Crome advised me that the City of Oshawa has a policy
whereby they do not accept responsibility for any damage
or obstruction to properly located mailboxes. It is up to
the householder to keep the mailbox area free and clear
of snow so that postal delivery is not obstructed in any
way.
I have further investigated this problem and am told by
M.T.C. that they have a standard policy relative to mail -
box location; this states that a box must be placed at a
certain distance from the edge of the roadway where it
will not interfere with plowing operations. If such a
properly located mailbox is damaged, then the Ministry
will replace or repair them.
I understand your office receives several complaints of
either damage or obstruction to mailboxes during the winter
season. Do you think, perhaps, it would be beneficial for
the Town to establish a policy in this respect? If so,
would you consider presenting the matter before the Public
Works Committee?
I would be most interested to have your comments, and look
forward to your reply.
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