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Village of Richfield
Mailbox Replacement Policy
1.0 PURPOSE:
Snow plow operators use a great deal of care when plowing our Village roads, often
under difficult conditions. However, as a result of the Village’s snowplowing operations,
from time to time plow drivers will strike and damage residents’ mailboxes. As a way of
reconciling the damage the Village will, under certain circumstances, reimburse the
purchase of a new mailbox and/or issue a temporary mailbox to property owners.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
This policy applies to all Village of Richfield departments, divisions, offices, boards,
commissions, committees and Village employees.
3.0 POLICY:
THE FOLLOWING POLICY ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES FOR REPLACEMENT
OF MAILBOXES DAMAGED BY SNOWPLOWING OPERATIONS.
4.0 PROCEDURE:
4.1 When a mailbox is damaged during snow removal operations, the property owner
must notify the Village via “Mailbox Replacement Form” within forty-eight (48)
hours after the event, at the discretion of the Village Administrator. (If the form
is sent via USPS, the parcel should be postmarked within 48 hours of the
damage.)
4.2 Upon notification by the property owner, after snow removal operations are
sufficiently completed, the Public Works Superintendent or a designated Staff
member will investigate the alleged damage.
4.3 Determination Mailbox replacement will be done based on the discretion of the
Public Works Superintendent or his/her designee, based on the following:
4.3.1 Village Replacement If it is determined that Village equipment
physically hit and damaged, or destroyed, the mailbox, the Village will
reimburse the citizens as outline in item 4.4.
4.3.2 Citizen Replacement If it is determined that the damage was due to
improper installation, a deteriorated post and/or mounting material, or that
the mailbox was not physically hit by Village equipment the Village will
not be responsible for damage, and replacement will be at the citizens
expense.
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4.3.2.1 Postmaster’s Specifications – If it is determined that the mailbox
was not installed to the Postmaster’s specifications, no
compensation will be provided from the Village.
4.4 If it is determined that the damage was caused by a Village snowplow striking the
mailbox and/or post, the Village will reimburse the citizen an amount not to
exceed $35.00 upon submission of receipts for the replacement materials.
4.5 Regardless of the determination of fault, property owners are responsible for
replacing or repairing the mailbox and/or post.
4.5.1 A temporary mailbox may be provided, at the request of the citizen, until
the damaged mailbox is repaired, replaced, or until May 1
st
, whichever
comes first.
4.6 Should the property owner dispute the findings of the initial investigation, they
may request an appeal to the Village Administrator, who will make a final
determination on the matter.
5.0 VIOLATION:
Employees found in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to
and including termination of employment.
Amended on
2012.7.19
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VILLAGE OF RICHFIELD
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
MAILBOX CLAIM FORM
TODAY’S DATE: / /
NAME:
ADDRESS:
E-MAIL: PHONE:
INSTRUCTIONS: YOUR CLAIM CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT COMPLETION OF THE SECTIONS BELOW. PLEASE PRINT
ALL INFORMATION LEGIBLY. IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED, YOU MAY ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS. THE MORE
DETAILED AND COMPLETE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS, THE MORE EFFICIENTLY THE VILLAGE OF
RICHFILD WILL BE ABLE TO PROCESS AND EVALUATE YOUR CLAIM. THIS CLAIM WILL BE PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE VILLAGE OF RICHFIELD MAILBOX REPLACEMENT POLICY.
PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR THE MAILBOX INCIDENT:
DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: / /
A. DESCRIPTION:
Are you requesting that the Village install a temporary mailbox? Yes No
A. WITNESSES/EVIDENCE:
PLEASE IDENTIFY ALL WITNESSES TO THE INCIDENT, IF ANY, BY NAME, ADDRESS AND
TELEPHONE NUMBER (IF KNOWN).
PLEASE ATTACH PICTURES OF DAMAGE, IF POSSIBLE
B. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I attest that I am the Owner of the property which is the subject of this claim form in the Village of Richfield,
Washington County, Wisconsin, and that all the information attached to or provided in support of said form,
including pictures, numbers, and any other documents and material, are honest and true to the best of my
knowledge.
(Signature of Claimant)
WHEN COMPLETED, PLEASE RETURN TO: VILLAGE OF RICHFIELD MAILBOX REPLACEMENT
4128 HUBERTUS ROAD, HUBERTUS, WI 53033;
dpw@richfieldwi.gov; OR FAX TO; (262)628-7507