Dear Curbside Delivery Customers:
Your Letter Carrier takes great pride in delivery your mail promptly and efficiently each and every day. In part, that entails being able to approach and exit your mail receptacle in a safe and timely manner without interference from objects obstructing it. This includes, but is not limited to, trash, vehicles and snow.
During the winter season the snow in front of and surrounding your mail receptacle must be removed. Letter carriers need an approximate 30 feet clearance from where they enter the delivery to where they exit.
If there is too much snow to be removed you might have to notify your town to plow the area again. Keep in mind that it is the responsibility of the postal customer to ensure their mail receptacle can be serviced safely by the Letter Carrier.
In addition, shoveling a path in front of your mail receptacle for the carrier on a curbside delivery route is not acceptable for the following reasons. It creates a time wasting practice and delays timely delivery. The curbside delivery routes are timed for the carrier not to leave their postal vehicle unless they have a package or special service mail.
Secondly, especially during winter season, the carrier is being put at a higher risk of injury while making a delivery walking on ice and snow to deposit the mail into your receptacle. The customer’s mail will be curtailed and held at the post office unit until the carrier can make a safe and timely delivery.
The same safety regulations apply to customers that receive delivery to a receptacle on the house, porch or any place that requires the carrier to deliver on foot.Walkways, steps and the areas around the mail receptacle must always be free of ice, snow, debris and any hazardous, obstructive or slippery conditions.
Our job is to provide you with the best service everyday; however, we cannot compromise the safety of our employees while doing so. Therefore we are asking you for your help inproviding a safe environment.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Andrea D Dallas
Postmaster, New Haven, CT
