Brazil’s Hill post boxes makes Spaniard’s Bay agenda again

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiatives Reporter

Spaniard’s Bay council heard yet more concerns earlier this month from a resident about a set of post office boxes on Brazil’s Hill.

It’s the third time the complaint about the boxes location has been raised at council.

Mayor Paul Brazil said Canada Post was contacted about the previous concerns and came to look at the boxes twice. The federal corporation concluded the complaints were not justified and that the location abides by its safety regulations.

Councillor Darlene Stamp asked whether the boxes could be moved to a safer location anyway.

Mayor Brazil allowed that if the Town did that, one person’s complaint would result in relocating the post office boxes of some 60 to 80 people. He added the Town cannot move the boxes, and can only notify Canada Post about the complaints.

“That’s unfortunate. It is a very bad spot,” said Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver. “There’s no room to pull in, let alone the ice and snow and everything else that’s there.”

Councillor Sherry Lundrigan agreed the area is risky. “It’s not only dangerous for the people collecting the mail,” she said. “They’ve got workers that go and put mail in the boxes, so it’s dangerous for them, too. There’s nowhere for them to get off the road.”

Mayor Brazil said he has noticed that too, but Canada Post maintains the location does not go against its code.

Stamp asked if the boxes could be relocated a short distance from where they are currently.

Brazil said some people who walk to get their mail might prefer the boxes where they are.

“Do you move them because one person wants them moved? I don’t know,” said Brazil. Lundrigan conceded council would likely need to talk to all the residents who use the boxes before deciding to move them.

Stamp suggested relocating the boxes to the bottom of Ridge Road.

However, Town Manager Tony Ryan informed her that is private property, and the move would require permission from the owner.

“And if they have to go through that intersection, they’ll be complaining another way,” said Councillor Eric Jewer.

Oliver said she would like to know Canada Post’s criteria for postal box locations.

Stamp said she would too, and suggested council inform Canada Post the Town has now received a third formal complaint about the boxes.

Stamp made a motion that council contact Canada Post to ask it to reconsider the location.

“And you do realize, if they do move them, we’re going to get a letter saying, ‘Well, I want my mailbox back where it was to,” said Mayor Brazil.

Stamp replied they can ask Canada Post about the process, which might include getting the approval of the residents who use the mailboxes.

Deputy Mayor Oliver seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.