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

MOKENA, IL — The Mokena Village Board of Trustees approved an ordinance at its Monday meeting that will reimburse residents up to $150 for mailboxes that are damaged due to snow removal. The ordinance is also designed to "protect the Village from erroneous claims," according to Village documents.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the ordinance. Trustee Melissa Fedora was the sole vote against it. Trustee George Metanias was absent.

In order for a resident to file a claim for reimbursement, according to Village documents, the following criteria must be met:

• The mailbox must meet the USPS guidelines prior to being damaged.
• The resident will need to inform Village Hall to have a work order entered with Public Works at the time of damage.
• When these criteria are met, the Village of Mokena will reimburse residents up to $150 for repair or replacement materials for mailboxes.
• Decorative mailboxes maybe eligible for reimbursement, based on the discretion of the Public Works Director.
• Resident must have proof that a public works vehicle directly hit the mailbox. Snow rolling off the plow is not considered direct contact.

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.

Also at Monday's meeting, the Village announced that Village Hall, 11004 Carpenter St., will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal business hours will resume Monday.

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