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Chapter 97

SNOW REMOVAL

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Henniker as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Snow and ice removal from streets See Ch. 106, Art. II.

Vehicles and traffic See Ch. 120.

ARTICLE I - Depositing Snow on Roads [Adopted 3 27 1979; amended 11 28 1989]

~ 97 1. Prohibited acts.

It shall be unlawful to plow snow across town roads or to deposit snow in town roads.

~ 97 2. Violations and penalties.

Violation of this article will result in a fine of not less than $20 nor more than $100.

~ 97 3. Authority.

This article is authorized under powers granted to the Selectmen in RSA 41:11.

ARTICLE II - Mailbox Accidents [Adopted 6 19 1997,Revised 9-12-00,Revised 6-2-2009]

~ 97 4. Responsibility of town.

The Town of Henniker Highway Department/Board of Selectmen is not responsible for damage to, but not limited to, mailboxes, fences, stonewalls, lawns, driveways or any other object(s) placed within the ‘right of way’ of any town road or street. The town’s Highway Department utilizes plowing equipment that is able to freely pass along or under a mailbox that conforms to a 44” (the average prescribed by the US Postal Dept. recommendations) height from ground to bottom of mailbox.

~ 97 5. Responsibility of owner.

A.   It is the responsibility of the owner of such property to replace or repair anything within the town ‘right of way’ that has been damaged as a result of town road maintenance. It is also the responsibility of the property owner to adhere to the Federal Government guide referring to the erecting of mailboxes published by the U.S. Postal Service.

B.   Any property owner (or rental occupant) seeking an exception to the policy shall first file a request with the Town Administrator. Any exception to the policy as outlined in Item 1 shall be subject to approval by the Henniker Board of Selectmen.

C.   The location and construction of mailboxes shall conform to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Postal Service as well as to standards established by the Town and State. Postal Service standards for the location and construction of mailboxes are listed below. The following are based on recommendations by the U. S. Postal Service.

1.   No mailbox or newspaper deliver box (hereafter referred to as mailbox) will be allowed to exist on the Town’s rights-of-way if it interferes with the safety of the traveling public or the function, maintenance, or operation of the highway system. A mailbox installation that does not conform to the provisions of this regulation is an unauthorized encroachment under the Henniker Road Width and State of NH DOT regulations (width varies with each road).

2.   A mailbox installation that conforms to the following criteria will be considered acceptable unless in the judgment of the Highway Superintendent of the town of Henniker, the installation interferes with the safety of the traveling public or the function, maintenance, or operation of the highway system.

a.    LOCATION: Curbside mailboxes must be placed so that they may be safely and conveniently served by carriers without leaving their conveyances. They must be reasonably and safely accessed by customers. Boxes must also be on the right-hand side of the road and in the carrier’s direction of travel in all cases where driving on the left-hand side of the road to reach the boxes would pose a traffic hazard or violate traffic laws and regulations. On new rural or highway contract routes, all boxes must be on the right side of the road in the carrier’s direction of travel. Boxes must be placed to conform to state laws and highway regulations. Carriers are subject to the same traffic laws and regulations as are other motorists. Customers must remove obstructions, including vehicles, trash cans, and snow, that make delivery difficult. Generally, mailboxes are installed at a height of 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry. Mailboxes are set back 6 to 8 inches from the front face of the curb or road edge to the mailbox door. Because of varying road and curb conditions and other factors, the Postal Service recommends that customers contact the postmaster or carrier before erecting or replacing their mailboxes and supports. (Reference: U.S. Postal Regulation 632.524)