Winter Issues

winter parking ban

The Town of Cumberland's winter parking ban (Per Traffic Ordinance Article XIV– Sec.14-7) is in effect from November 15th until April 1st. Parking is prohibited on all public roads and streets between midnight and 7am, as well as during any snow/ice event. 


Winter Sand 

Winter Sand is available to Cumberland residents at two locations; the lower parking lot beside the Public Works Garage on Drowne Road and behind the West Cumberland Rec building on Blackstrap Road in West Cumberland.


Mailbox Recommendations

Broken mailbox posts may happen during a snow storm, even though our plow drivers are warned to take all precautions to avoid striking them with the wing of the plow.

s

Some tips on placement of mailboxes that will help to minimize the chance of damage:  

  •  Mailboxes should be installed at least 42 inches high to provide clearance for the plow wing as shown in the picture below on the left. We recommend the use of an extended arm type of post with a free-swinging suspended mailbox as shown on the picture to the right. This allows snowplows to sweep near or under boxes without damage to supports and provides easy access to the boxes by carrier and customers.
  • Place reflective material on the side of the box visible to approaching traffic, also, 4" high letters to identify the address is recommended to assist emergency vehicles.
  • Mailbox post size must not exceed 4" by 4" for a wooden post or 2" diameter for a steel pipe post for roadside barrier safety. Posts that are more substantial in construction are considered "deadly fixed objects" and are not permitted within the Town Way.
  • Above right you will find a sketch showing the recommended location for your mailbox. Placing the mailbox on the side of your driveway away from approaching traffic will allow our driver to properly clear the roadway and to get as close as possible to your mailbox to minimize the amount of shoveling you will have to do to clear the mailbox for the postal carrier. 
  • For uncurbed roadways set the mailbox back at the far edge of the road shoulder to provide the maximum possible roadway clearance. For curbed roads the face of the mailbox should be 8-12 inches back from the curb face. 

Your participation and cooperation in complying with the above will be greatly appreciated by your rural carrier, postal service and Cumberland Public Services Department.

What if a mailbox is damaged:  

  • The town is not required to fix mailboxes. It is the resident’s responsibility to repair anything placed in the Town’s right of way. The owner assumes a risk with items being the in the right of way.
  • However, if we hit a mailbox and the resident notifies us, we will go out when we are able and make basic repairs to assist the resident in receiving their mail.
  • Repairs could be bolting a post together, replacing the post or putting it in a bucket until spring, screwing a box back on, screwing a mailbox door back on or replacing with a basic box.
  • We do not replace custom boxes or posts.

Cumberland Public Works can be contacted at 207-829-2220 for additional information.