Newmarket to review community mailbox locations
Yorkregion.com
May 7, 2015
By Chris Simon
Several sites chosen by Canada Post to house community mailboxes are unsafe and need more extensive review, according to Newmarket council.
The town has identified 19 proposed mailbox locations that could cause traffic, sight line or other issues. So, the municipality has asked Canada Post to extend its consultation period by 180 days.
As part of the recommendation, council has also asked staff to further review all proposed mailbox locations for safety, accessibility, parking and winter maintenance issues and seek comment from the Newmarket accessibility advisory committee.
“There are other sites I have serious concerns with,” Councillor Joe Sponga said, noting residents have complained about other potential mailbox sites as well.
“Some of these mailboxes are on sidewalks that the municipality does not currently maintain during the winter months. This is just one of the many situations we’ve found.”
Canada Post recently announced it would end home mail delivery in Newmarket this fall.
Instead, residents will be asked to pick up bills, letters and flyers, and many of their parcels, from community boxes. The boxes offer individually locked mail and parcel compartments.
Roughly 200 could be erected in town.
“No one wants these super boxes in Ward (2),” Councillor Dave Kerwin said. “They’re really ugly. They’re a source of litter and graffiti.”
The switch is part of the service’s long-term action plan. Other changes include the introduction of a tiered pricing structure, the expansion of franchised offices, streamlining operations and addressing labour costs.
