(a) Purpose; Authorization. This Section is intended to establish standards for the safe installation and maintenance of mailboxes within the right-of-way adjacent to streets, roads and highways in the Village of Edgar. Proper mailbox placement and design is important for users of public roads and Village public works functions as well as for mail delivery. A person may install and maintain a mailbox within the Village right-of-way adjacent to or near the person's residence or the place of business being served provided the mailbox complies with all United States Postal Service (USPS) requirements and the standards of this Section, whichever are more restrictive.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable in this Section:
(1) Mailbox.
Any receptacle or device used to receive or collect mail, newspapers, packages or similar items erected at the edge of a roadway or street curbside and is intended to be served by a mail carrier from a vehicle. The term includes any structure used to support the mailbox. It consists of a lightweight sheet metal or plastic box meeting the design specifications of the United States Postal Service (USPS) and has the inscription "U.S. Mail" and/or "Approved By The Postmaster General".
(2) Breakaway Support.
A post meeting the standards of this Section which supports a mailbox and is designed to have minimal resistance to a vehicle crash.
(3) Custom-Built Mailbox.
A mailbox erected at the edge of a roadway or curbside of a street which does not meet the standards of the USPS and/or this Section, typically one which is decorative in design.
(4) Cluster-Style Mailboxes.
An installation method whereby mailboxes meeting the specifications of the USPS and this Section are assembled and grouped together on a single area of land so that they function as one point for mail delivery.
(c) Siting of Mailboxes; Placement Standards.
(1) Placement of a Mailbox on a Rural Profile Road. The bottom of the mounted mailbox shall be between forty-two (42") and forty-eight (48") inches from the surface of the road. A height of forty-seven (47") inches is the preferred height. The face of the mailbox shall not be less than twelve (12") inches from the edge of the pavement.
(2) Placement of a Mailbox on a Street With a Curb.
The bottom of the mounted mailbox shall be between forty-two (42") and forty-eight (48") inches from the surface of the road. The mailbox shall be positioned so that the door is six (6") to twelve (12") inches back from the face of the curb.
(3) Standards Regarding Location,Visibility and Obstruction.
Except where otherwise specifically provided in this Section, all mailboxes shall be erected:
a. On the lot of the property being served, unless a cluster-style arrangement is authorized by both the Postmaster and the Village of Edgar;
b. On the right hand side of the road (the left side is permissible on one-way roads);
c. Away from the intersection of any street, road or highway to prevent obstruction of free and clear vision;
d. Away from existing roadside obstructions, such as, but not limited to, utility poles, guardrails, bridges, blind spots caused by curves or hills, and other physical limitations; where there are guardrails, mailboxes shall be installed behind the guardrails, projecting enough for the mail carrier to reach the mailbox;
e. Away from any location where, by reason of the mailbox's shape, color or position, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign or device; and
f. In such a location that no portion of the roadside face of the mailbox extends over the traveled portion of the highway or the outside edge of the usable shoulder.
(4) Mailbox Support Posts; Permissible Mountings.
Mailbox support posts shall be of the following design:
a. Metal, hollow pipe supports shall be one and one-half (11/2") inches in diameter or less.
b. Metal channel supports shall weigh less than two (2) pounds per foot.
c. Square wood posts shall be no larger than four (4") by (4") inches or less.
d. Round wood posts shall be no larger than four (4") inches in diameter.
e. Mailbox supports shall be imbedded no more than twenty-four (24") inches into the ground; mailbox supports shall not be imbedded in concrete.
f. Mailbox support posts shall be of a size/design that would break off or move out of the way if struck by a vehicle.
g. Mailboxes should be sufficiently mounted on a post in such a manner as to minimize the possibility of the mailbox being damaged by flying snow and slush from traffic and plowing activity; an L-shaped mounting is preferred. The post-to-box attachment shall be of sufficient strength to minimize the possibility of the mailbox separating from the mounting post if struck by a vehicle.
h. Prior to any digging of postholes, it is the responsibility of the property owner to first call Diggers Hotline to locate any possible underground utilities [800-242-8511].
i. Plastic-housed mailboxes may be used provided that the internal mounting post complies with the standards of this Section.
j. Pursuant to Sec. 346.41(3), Wis. Stats., only blue reflectors may be attached to any mailbox.
k. Newspaper tubes are permitted on the mailbox support post only if they are of a design that will not interfere with the standards of this Section or present a hazard to the public use of the right-of-way.
(5) Cluster-Type Mailbox Mountings.
Multiple mailbox installations may be permitted as an alternative mounting system provided permission is received from the Postmaster and the Village of Edgar, and the following standards are met:
a. No more than two (2) mailboxes may be mounted on one support post. A light- weight newspaper box mounted on a mailbox structure will not be counted toward this limit. For a multiple installation of two (2) mailbox posts, support posts shall be spaced a minimum longitudinal distance apart which is equal to three-quarters of the height of the posts in the installation. [Example: Where several two (2) mailbox installations are mounted four (4') feet above the ground on single posts, the posts shall be spaced three (3') feet apart]. The height and other standards of this Section shall be complied with.
b. Up to four (4) mailboxes may be co-mounted on two (2) connected supporting posts a minimum of thirty-six (36") inches apart. The height and other standards of this Section shall be complied with.
c. Cluster-type or multiple mailbox installations may not originally be placed on a parcel without the express permission of the parcel's owner.
(d) Prohibited Mailboxes. Due to hazards presented by being located in a public right-of- way, nonstandard mailboxes are expressly prohibited. A mailbox installation that does not conform to the standards of this Section is an unauthorized encroachment and the Village may require that the owner remove or modify the nonstandard mailbox. This Section is not intended to and shall not be construed as creating any affirmative duty on the part of the Village of Edgar to locate and remove every nonconforming mailbox. Examples of nonstandard mailboxes include, but are not limited to:
(1) Masonry, concrete or stone columns, standards or landscaping.
(2) Receptacles, barrels or milk cans filled with sand, soil or concrete.
(3) Metal or wooden posts exceeding the standards specified in this Section.
(4) Nonstandard ornamental mountings or posts which present a hazard when located in the right-of-way, such as plow blades, wagon or implement wheels, vehicle parts, comic installations, etc.
(5) Railroad ties.
(e) Mailboxes Damaged by Village Maintenance Activities.
(1) Any mailbox located in a right-of-way potentially may be damaged or destroyed as a result of traffic or Village maintenance activities. Village maintenance activities include, but are not limited to, snow removal, pavement repairs, street cleaning, brush collection, and maintenance/repairs to public utilities.
(2) The Village of Edgar shall not assume any legal liability regarding any mailbox of any type constructed within the public right-of-way.
(3) In the event a mailbox is significantly damaged or destroyed in the course of Village operations, the Village may provide for reimbursement under this Subsection. In the case of alleged damage from Village snow removal activities, payment may only be made for damage resulting from direct contact damage to a mailbox, not from plow- thrown snow or slush; the Village shall not be responsible for pieces of a mailbox which have been damaged due to plow-thrown snow or slush.
(4) If the mailbox was not in compliance with the placement and mounting standards of this Section or was improperly maintained, reimbursement shall not be made.
(5) If it is alleged that a mailbox has been significantly damaged or destroyed in the course of Village maintenance activities, the Village shall be contacted by the property owner and a Village representative will inspect the mailbox and make a determination regarding reimbursement. This determination shall be final.
(6) The Village does not repair or replace damaged mailboxes. The repair or replacement of a mailbox is the responsibility of the property owner. If Village responsibility has been determined and the criteria of this Subsection are met, the Village will provide the property owner with reimbursement in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) regardless of whether the mailbox was of standard or customized design. No additional allowance will be made for decorative or customized mailboxes. This is the maximum payment amount and shall apply to damage from all Village maintenance activities and is not limited to direct contact snow removal damage.
(f) Variances. Upon written request, the Village Board may grant a variance on a case-by- case basis to the requirements of this Section provided that unique circumstances exist and such variance does not compromise public safety. Such variance shall be in writing.