The County will repair or replace mailboxes and fences
only if they were
properly installed and located, and damaged by direct contact with County
snow removal equipment. Damage caused by the force of plowed snow,
without direct contact,
is the homeowner's responsibility.
Plowed snow often creates windrows at the end of driveways; clearing
these is the homeowner's responsibility. It is illegal to plow or blow
snow from driveways onto or across County roads.
Snow Trucks and
Safety:
• Drivers should stay at least 50 feet
behind snow trucks and keep vehicles and other property out of the
right-of-way to avoid damage. Residents must remove parked vehicles from
County roads to facilitate snow removal.
• Drivers
must yield to oncoming snow trucks. The road shoulder is often too soft
to support the weight of a loaded salt truck, preventing them from moving
over. On narrow roads, please pull into a driveway and allow the snow
truck to pass.
Mailbox Maintenance and Damage:
The Brown County Engineer's Highway Maintenance Department strives
to protect mailboxes, but damage can occur during heavy snow. Residents
are encouraged to inspect and reinforce or replace deteriorated mailboxes
and posts before
winter.
The County will repair or replace mailboxes
only if they are struck by
County snowplow equipment. Damage caused by snow discharge is the
homeowner's responsibility. Each complaint is investigated to determine
if direct contact occurred. If a replacement is necessary, a standard
rural mailbox and support will be used. The County will not replace
non-standard, custom-lettered, custom-designed, or oversized mailboxes.
If no impact signs are present, the homeowner will be informed of
possible causes, such as poor construction, lack of maintenance (e.g.,
rotten posts), or other damage sources. All other property damage will be
handled on a case-by-case basis and should be reported and documented
immediately.