(a) Purpose. The intent of this policy is to establish a uniform process to reimburse citizens for mailbox damage caused by Village crews during snow and ice control or any other maintenance activity.
(b) Applicability. This policy applies to all locations within the Canal Winchester Village limits.
(c) Policy.
(1) The Village’s primary obligation is to ensure safety by keeping roadways free of snow and ice. Damage to mailboxes is often unavoidable due to their close proximity to the roadway. Because mailboxes are generally located inside the public right of way, and the service of plowing streets is for the public good, this policy assumes there is a shared responsibility between the Village and citizen when mailboxes are damaged during Village operations.
(2) All mailboxes should be installed (and maintained) in a fashion as to absorb the impact of snow coming off the face of a plow blade. Citing these criteria, the Village’s policy shall be to grant no reimbursement for a mailbox failure due to impact of snow.
(3) When the Village receives a complaint that a mailbox has been damaged, an investigation of the circumstances will be conducted. If a mailbox was incorrectly installed or not physically hit by Village equipment, the Village will not grant any compensation.
(4) In the case of a mailbox having been physically hit by Village equipment, the affected property owner should submit a claim, including estimates for repair, to the Village for processing. All claims must be filed within thirty days of the alleged damage to be considered for reimbursement.
(Ord. 22-10. Passed 6-7-10.)