Now’s the time to prepare for winter by making sure your mailbox is in good shape. Here are some helpful tips and the Town of Bethel’s Mailbox Policy:
* It is very uncommon for a plow to make direct contact with a mailbox. The majority of mailbox and post damage is the result of improper installation or maintenance. Examine the condition of your mailbox before the winter season begins!
* Check your mailbox for deterioration such as rot, rust, insect damage, or water damage. Especially pay attention for rot near the base of wooden posts. This is the most common cause of mailbox deterioration.
* A properly installed and maintained mailbox will withstand the force of plowed snow. It is the homeowners’ responsibility to properly install permanent mailboxes in accordance with our recommendations to avoid this inconvenience next winter. For instructions on how to install a mailbox sturdy enough to withstand the heavy snow loads commonly encountered in Bethel, please see below.
If you need further help following the Mailbox and Post Installation guidelines, please contact the Public Works office at 203-794-8549 or PublicWorks@bethel-ct.gov.
Mailbox and Post Installation
1: Front of mailbox must be 12 inches minimum (18 inches maximum) from curb line or edge of roadway
2: Bottom of mailbox must be 41 to 45 inches above roadway elevation
3: Post should be constructed of pressure treated wood, 4 inch by 4 inch minimum post size
4: # 8 size (minimum) weather resistant screws should be used during assembly of mailbox and post (Do not use nails)
Proper installation and maintenance of your mailbox and post will help to prevent damage during snow removal operations.
Information Regarding Mailbox and Post Damage During Normal Snow Removal Operations
It is the policy of the Bethel Public Works Department that if any mailbox or post is damaged as the result of snow thrown from a Town of Bethel snow plow, the responsibility for making repairs shall be borne by the property owner. The Department is not responsible for damage caused by snow expelled from the plow as it passes by.
Upon notification of damage, Public Works staff will perform an inspection of the mailbox and post to determine cause of damage. Staff will make a determination of who is at fault (improper installation of mailbox or plow operator error). Following investigation: The mailbox or post will be repaired or replaced if plow contact occurred. The Town does not cover damage from snow discharge; only if the plow makes contact.
Decorative or plastic mailboxes that receive direct contact from Town snow plows will be replaced with a standard metal mailbox and wooden post. Plastic mailboxes, or inferior or rotted posts, will not be repaired, as they are not sturdy enough to withstand the force of snow expelled by Town plows.
Homeowners must notify Public Works within seven (7) days from the date of the storm to be eligible for repair or replacement.