Mailbox Policy

Broken mailbox posts are another source of conflict, even though our plow drivers are warned to take all precautions to avoid striking them with the wing of the plow.

Some tips on placement of mailboxes will help to minimize damage:

• Box number should be on the side of the box visible to approaching traffic or on the door of the mailbox when boxes are grouped.
• Group mailboxes whenever practical, especially at or near crossroads, at service turnouts, or at other places where a considerable number of boxes are located.
• Use an extended arm type of mailbox post (see picture below). This allows snowplows to sweep near or under boxes without damage to supports and provides easy access to the boxes by carrier and customers.
• Mailboxes should generally be installed at least 48–54 inches high. However, due to varying road and curb conditions, it is recommended that customers contact the postmaster or the Public Works Department prior to installing a mailbox to ensure proper placement.

Mailbox Replacement

During winter conditions the Town of Eliot Public Works plow drivers take all precautions they possibly can to avoid causing property damage, including damage to mailboxes. If your mailbox and/or post are damaged by a Town plow truck, please contact the Public Works office. Public Works will repair or replace mailboxes and posts damaged this winter from snow plowing, but officials are warning residents that replacement is limited. 

Any mailbox damaged by town plowing will be returned to working conditions, even if the mailbox post has to be set in a bucket until the ground thaws. The damaged property will be replaced in the spring with a basic white mailbox and a 4 by 4 inch wooden post. The town will not replace or reimburse for ornamental mail boxes, granite, plastic, metal or post made out of other material. The damage must be reported withing ten (10) days of the incident. Should you report that your mailbox/or post has or had been damaged as a result of winter maintenance operations and due to an assumed interaction with a Town plow truck or weight of heavy snow as a result of winter maintenance operations, we will inspect the entire mailbox unit for previous damage or rot which may have compromised the integrity of the mailbox unit thus rendering the claim of damage a non-issue.

Below you will find a sketch showing how your driveway can be initially cleared to reduce the possibility that after the plow passes you will be snow bound again. We suggest that you clear your driveway in the manner suggested in the sketch. If you will shovel snow in the direction of traffic, and make a pocket next to your driveway as shown, snow accumulation on the plow will drop into that pocket and only a bare minimum will go into the driveway opening.

Your participation and cooperation will be greatly appreciated by your rural carrier, postal service, and Eliot Public Works Department.