Village of Mokena Will Reimburse Up To $150 For Damaged Mailboxes

MOKENA, IL — After two recent significant snowfalls, the Village of Mokena is reminding residents that it will reimburse up to $150 for the repair or replacement of mailboxes that were damaged by Village vehicles during snow removal.

In order to qualify for the reimbursement, residents must have informed Village Hall to have a work order entered with Public Works at the time of damage. The mailbox must meet United States Postal Service guidelines prior to being damaged.

Resident must also have proof that a Public Works vehicle directly hit the mailbox. Snow rolling off a plow is not considered direct contact, according to the Village.

Decorative mailboxes maybe eligible for reimbursement, based on the discretion of the Public Works Director.

The Village passed an ordinance Nov. 22, 2021, that allows for the reimbursement. At that time, Public Works Director Jim Kulesa told the board that the Village will ask its snowplow drivers to begin tracking a list of mailboxes in the village that are in poor condition. The Village will notify residents to repair the mailboxes that are not up to USPS code or they will not be eligible for reimbursement under the new ordinance.

The ordinance passed 4-1. Trustee Melissa Fedora was the sole vote against it. Trustees Debbie Engler, Joseph Budzyn, James Richmond and Rob Dauphinais voted in favor of the ordinance. Trustee George Metanias was absent.

Related: Village Offering Up To $150 For Mailboxes Damaged By Snow Removal