If you have an old or damaged rural mailbox or one supported by an illegal structure, now is a good time to repair or replace it before the ground freezes, advises the Crow Wing County Highway Department. Mailboxes are the property and responsibility of the resident.
"Every winter, the Highway Department receives complaints of snowplows damaging mailboxes," said Jory Danielson, maintenance supervisor. "Most often the damage results from rusted mailboxes and posts that do not stand up to heavy snow thrown during plowing operations."
Snowplow operators report any damage that might have occurred on their route. Danielson said each incident is investigated. Repair by county personnel is limited to those mailboxes and supports conforming to standards that were actually hit by the plow equipment.
Mailboxes with damaged or worn latches should be replaced. Wind and heavy snow can cause a mailbox door to fall open if the latch is not working properly. Ornamental displays and other types of decorations should not be attached to the mailboxes because these add weight to the structure and do not leave much room for maintenance and plowing. Newspaper holders should be attached beside - not under - the mailbox utilizing the same support.
Snowplow friendly supports are available for purchase at the highway department office located at 16589 County Rd. 142, Brainerd. The swing-away support allows county maintenance workers to remove snow from county roads more quickly and easily. The truck wing is able to get under the support allowing the snow to be moved from the edge of the road without having to swerve around the mailbox. The support will swing to dissipate the force of snow deflected by plows toward the mailbox.
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Materials for mailbox supports to be installed along county-maintained roads are $25 (plus $1.84 tax). Installation of mailbox supports by the Highway Department along a county road is available; the cost for materials and labor is $50 (plus $3.69 tax). For supports installed along roads not maintained by the county, materials are available for purchase at $55 (plus $4.06 tax).
For Crow Wing County's Mailbox Support Policy and a diagram of a standard swing-away type mailbox support, go to http://www.co.crow-wing.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=158 . For additional information on mailbox placement along county highways, call the highway department at 824-1110.
