As you already know, a number of mailboxes have been damaged/destroyed by the Ottawa County Road Commission plows this winter and I have been contacted by the homeowner for repair or replacement. I decided to contact the Road commission to see if there is a reimbursement program for this damage. This is what I was told:
The Road Commission will reimburse the homeowner $15 for a busted post and $15 for a damaged mailbox if, when they inspect the damage, they can determine that the plow caused the damage by seeing orange or black paint on the damaged piece. The orange or black paint would come from the plow blade itself.
I have closely inspected several boxes and found no paint left by the snowplow which doesn’t surprise me because, by now, the paint has been worn off the plow blades due to heavy use this winter. Therefore, unless there is obvious orange/black paint left on the damaged mailbox, it would not be worthwhile to file a claim by the homeowner.
If, however, the homeowner decides to pursue a reimbursement, he/she can file a claim with the Road Commission by calling 1-616-842-5400 (Grand Haven).
Submitted by Jim Frieswyk
Mailboxes are frequently damaged from snow which the snowplows throw when they are passing by the mailboxes. Wet and compacted now can be very heavy, and when thrown at high speeds, it can easily knock mailboxes over. I have seen similar results on mailboxes all over town, especially mailboxes on 55mph backroads. Since the snow may be causing the damage, it is unlikely that you will see paint from a plow on your mailbox. If this is the case, your only recourse may be to reinforce your mailbox with a heavy post and a firm connection between the mailbox and the post. Good luck.
-Mark