Spaniard’s Bay council concerned about mailbox problems

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As more of Canada Post’s so-called super mailboxes pop up around Spaniard’s Bay, so do questions and concerns about them.

At this week’s public council meeting, councillor Eric Jewer shared a concern about the new boxes that has been brought to him by residents. Specifically, he discussed how some of the box locations could inconvenience drivers.

Jewer noted that a mailbox on the far end of Cranes Road is located in the same spot as the turnaround for school buses. This could very well end up being the town’s largest area for mailboxes, he added, and he is worried the mailboxes may hinder the bus drivers’ ability to turn around or back up. 

Jewer indicated the problem could be even worse when residents come and park to get their mail, or if some residents decide to pick up their mail while they wait for the bus to pick up their children. The councillor is concerned there isn’t enough room for parked cars and buses at the same time.

Jewer raised potential problems at another set of mailboxes located on Chipman Road. 

“It’s in front of a piece of small property belonging to the Town, and they’ve got it actually put right on the curb,” said Jewer. 

This means anyone stopping to get mail has to park on the road, which Jewer said is already narrow to begin with. 

Mayor Paul Brazil asked if the Chipman Road mailbox is in a location where most of its users can walk. 

“Not necessarily,” Jewer replied, “because the majority of people on Chipman Road are seniors.”

Councillor Darlene Stamp cited one of the newer mailboxes located on New Harbour Road. A citizen cleaned the brush from around the mailboxes, she said, making it more visible from the road.