Rural residents who claim their mailboxes have been plowed by a passing snow plow, causing significant damage, may have some recourse, but any reimbursement likely depends on the plow’s operator.
In Neebing, the maximum a complainant could receive is $35 following a review.
Damage to mailboxes “does happen occasionally,” Neebing clerk-treasurer Erika Kromm said on Tuesday.
“Reimbursement for mailbox damage on municipal roads would depend on the circumstances,” Kromm added. “Was the mailbox installed in the proper location? Was the mailbox in good condition (and) was it struck by the plow?”
In a recent online post, a rural resident claimed “at least six mailboxes” were “taken out” by a plow operating on Highway 130 through Oliver Paipoonge.
“You may want to go and see if the plow damaged your mailbox,” wrote the person, who wondered about reimbursement.
Oliver Paipoonge chief administrator Wayne Hanchard said the municipality doesn’t plow on Highway 130.
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO), which is responsible for clearing provincial routes that wind through rural townships just outside Thunder Bay, says it has yet to receive any complaints about damaged mailboxes on Highway 130.
“MTO’s maintenance contractor is responsible for reviewing reported damage claims related to snow-removal operations,” a regional ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
Conmee Mayor Sheila Maxwell said mailboxes should “be well enough off the road, but if our plow damages mailboxes, and it was because of negligence, we will reimburse.”
According to Canada Post, more than 700,000 rural Canadians still receive postal materials in a mailbox at the end of a driveway.
Other rural dwellers have their mail delivered to “community boxes,” a trend Canada Post says it wants to expand.
Reports about mailboxes believed to have been damaged by MTO snow plows can be directed to the ministry maintenance contractor by calling 1-833-768-0293.
