Winter Showdown In Vernon: Mailboxes, Basketball Hoops Vs. Snowplows

VERNON, CT — It's time for the annual winter showdown in Vernon between snowplow, mailbox and basketball hoops.

Vernon's Department of Public Works this week issued its annual guidelines on how plows, mailboxes and hoops can peacefully co-exist in the colder months.

Here are summaries:

Basketball Hoops/Poles: The Public Works Department is reminding residents that the town will not be responsible for basketball hoops and poles placed on town property, either at the edge of the road or on a cul-de-sac. Basketball hoops or poles damaged by town vehicles, especially during removal of refuse, recycling, snow, slush, etc. will not be repaired or replaced. They should be placed on private property.

Mailboxes: While plow truck drivers make every effort to avoid mailboxes, they do, on occasion, hit or knock one over. Operators must report these incidents to their supervisor. However, snow thrown against a mailbox is often sufficient to cause damage to a less than perfect installation. Posts with cracks, dry rot, or deterioration at the bottom are likely to fail when wet snow hits them. Check the attachment hardware - rusty nails or screws eventually fail. If your mailbox has been damaged, please call the Public Works Office at 860-870-3500 to report it the day after the storm. Mailboxes that are knocked over by heavy, wet snow where no contact with the plow has occurred and where they have not been maintained or adequately mounted or braced will not be repaired by the town. Also, mailboxes damaged by private contractors, homeowners clearing snow, errant drivers, etc., will not be fixed by the town.