Is your mailbox safe from snowplows?

By Ty Rogers

February 22, 2008 | WELLSVILLE -- Dozens of mailboxes are destroyed every winter by snowplows in Wellsville, and the Wellsville City Council refuses to pay for damages. The only exception is if the mailbox contains a piece of art or an antique.

So when Justin Miner, a resident of Wellsville, brought in pictures to the council last night, they had to deny yet another citizen any reimbursement for their damaged mailbox.

"I understand his dilemma and feel for him, but we will end up having to do this for the whole city," Councilwoman Marcene Parker said.

When Miner returned home from a business trip he found that his all-brick mailbox had been knocked down and partially broken. His neighbors told him that they had witnessed the snowplow actually hit his mailbox. From the pictures he brought of the scene, it was hard to tell what had happened.

Councilman Ron Chase said, "That mailbox is on city property." Because of their policy, the council had to send him home empty-handed.

In many cases, the snow being pushed by the truck is what actually pushes the mailboxes over. The problem is that if the plow doesn't get that close to the curb, the plow will leave too much snow in the streets.

The council seemed to be split on the decision for Miner. Councilmen Jackie Orton and Gary Bates both offered their time to help him rebuild his mailbox.

"It cost me about a grand to build," Justin said, "but the damages are probably only a couple hundred dollars."

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