Woonsocket Postmaster to residents: Clear mailboxes and walkways

WOONSOCKET – City Postmaster Randy Smith requests that customers clear their mailboxes and walkways of snow and ice during the winter months.

Letter carriers are instructed to hold mail to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared. However, many risk their safety in order to provide service to their customers. “None of us want to inconvenience our customers,” Bernier explained, “but we must ensure the safety of our employees.”

The Postal Service is asking customers to help. The letter carrier will need access to your mailbox clear of snow and ice. Shovel, sand and salt as needed. Another serious winter hazard to be aware of is letter carriers walking on streets due to unclear city sidewalks. If normal delivery time is after dusk be sure to keep access path to mailbox well lit. Be aware that normal melting of snow during daylight hours will freeze and form a layer of ice, which is sometimes covered by an evening snow fall.

Customers are asked to clear enough snow from curbside boxes to allow mail trucks to approach the box, deliver the mail and to drive away from it without danger or the need for backing or leaving their vehicle.

In the event of a large storm or multiple storms, a makeshift mail receptacle may be utilized. This can be a box on pole (48 inches off the ground) mounted in a 5-gallon container filled with sand (for stability) and placed roadside.

“Please help our letter carriers provide the best service they can as safely as possible,” Smith said.