1269679 Public Notice - Osakis Township Mailbox Placement

Public Notice

Publish June 17, 2011

OSAKIS TOWNSHIP

MAILBOX PLACEMENT AND

MAINTENANCE POLICY

Mailboxes and mailbox supports are the property of the rural mail patrons and must be placed and maintained by the mail patron. Location is decided by the local postmaster. Osakis Township does not issue permits for the placement within the road right of away nor do our easements provide for mailbox construction. All mailboxes placed within the road right of way are placed there at the owner’s risk.

When there is an accumulation of snow, the location of mailboxes close to the township roads makes the plowing operations of Osakis Township difficult and renders the boxes susceptible to damage as a result of such activity. It is the Township’s policy to use special care and consideration when plowing snow in their vicinity. Despite this care and consideration, some mailboxes will be knocked down or destroyed during snow removal season. In the vast majority of cases, it is the weight of snow coming off a snowplow or wing that destroys a mailbox. On occasion, however, wings will hit and damage them.

We believe most of the mailbox damage that occurs during a typical winter would be eliminated if postal patrons would install a mailbox that swings away when hit by snow or snowplow equipment. This mailbox configuration has been crash tested and is acceptable in terms of nationally tested safety criteria. It is the recommended support approved by Osakis Township Board.

The use of this approved mailbox support provides a much safer driving environment for all motorists. It also makes the job of snow removal much easier and reduces costs and irritation to the mail patron when boxes are destroyed due to flying snow and occasional accidental impacts. Consequently, Osakis Township’s policy encourages the use of this recommended support.

If a properly placed mailbox support conforming to the approved design is hit by snow or a plow wing and is damaged or destroyed, the Township maintenance contractor will repair or replace the support. Other mailbox support configurations, not conforming to the recommended mailbox support, are not eligible for repair or replacement by the Township of Osakis.

It will be our policy for any mailbox supports replaced or any newly installed mailboxes to use these types of supports. Osakis Township will have an inventory of these complete supports that can be purchased through the township at the wholesale price the township paid for them.

Adopted this 9th day of May, 2011.

Dawn McNeal, Clerk

Osakis Township

(320) 859-4698

1269679

Tags: osakis township, legals