Concerned about the possibility of community mailboxes springing up at inappropriate locations, Woolwich is angling for more municipal say in the rollout of new installations as Canada Post does away with door-to-door delivery.
The township plans to draft a resolution calling on the post office to seek out local input on locating the mailboxes, already a fixture in new subdivisions. Woolwich will then look to other municipalities to endorse the idea.
Prompted by Coun. Allan Poffenroth, councillors meeting August 12 discussed ways for the township to protect itself from the prospect of community mailboxes being installed in unsuitable locations. There have already been issues related to parking and traffic as residents stop their cars to pick up mail, with Poffenroth noting the situation could get worse as new central mailboxes are installed in existing neighbourhoods.
Canada Post announced last year it planned to phase out home delivery over a five-year period to the remaining third of Canadian households who still receive the service.
Chief administrative officer David Brenneman noted Canada Post usually consults with the municipality about the locations for such mailboxes, providing a chance for input. With more on the way, the township will do what it can to ensure good sites are chosen, he added, noting the agency ultimately makes the decision.
“We do our best to facilitate residents’ concerns.”
“Do we have any say as to what is put on township boulevard property?” asked Coun. Mark Bauman, noting the mailboxes are usually on township-owned land.
Fearing a one-sided battle, he suggested the issue be taken up with other municipalities, including through affiliations with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
“It’s easier to fight Big Brother with a bunch of us,” quipped Bauman.
Since Canada Post’s announcement, several municipalities have in fact spoken out against the cancellation of home delivery. The issue has also been addressed by FCM, taken on by its big city mayors’ caucus.
Brenneman said staff would draft a resolution for council’s consideration at a future meeting.
Download Canada Post Report
HERE.
