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The exact location of mailboxes might sound like a dull topic, but it's occasionally a smashing one for the county highway department.
A recent heavy, wet snow made it a smashing issue for about three dozen homeowners whose boxes were damaged during snow removal.
Highway superintendent Rob Ladsen, facing his first winter on the job, saw the issue arise last week and took action Tuesday to straighten out a policy that was neither written nor consistent.
As a result, homeowners will now know whether they'll be reimbursed if their mailbox is damaged.
The margin of responsibility could be as slim as 4 inches.
In the past, the county suggested the front of the mailbox be placed 2 feet, 8 inches from the edge of the pavement. That's because heavy-duty snow plows extend 2 feet beyond the road, leaving another 8-inch margin.
But under a new policy, the highway department recommends the front of the mailbox be placed 3 feet from the pavement.
If the mailbox is far enough away and is still damaged, the county will cover the cost of any damages. However, the county won't be liable if the original mailbox was flimsy or included a rotting post.
While the issue might sound tedious, Ladsen said it is a troubling issue for homeowners and the highway department.
Ladsen stressed that homeowners are not required to abide by the guidelines, but he hoped the policy would encourage compliance.
The policy also does not apply to homes along Old Road 30 because extra distance is required along the roadsides.
The policy also notes that the county will not provide approaches to the mailbox.
The commissioners opted not to include a provision that would have made an exception for liability in blizzard conditions.
Of the 30 to 40 people who complained about damage to mailboxes after a recent snow, almost all the boxes were located too close to the road.
Heavy snow causes the most damage. While light, fluffy snow is whirled into the air by the truck's snow blade, heavy snow stays lows to the ground and moves with more force, Ladsen said.
