[MassHistPres] Curbside mailboxes

[slater at alum.rpi.edu]

In Springfield, our postal carriers deliver mail to the door of each
house; there is no need for a mailbox on the curb, something that is
more common in rural areas where the carrier delivers by car. In our
historic districts, I do not believe we have any instances of a curbside
mailbox. 

A homeowner recently installed a curbside mailbox in one of our
districts. Since mailboxes are not specifically excluded from our
control, and since it fits the definition of a "structure", this is
something our HC needs to review.

The homeowner presumably did this because they have a yard that is 100%
fenced-in (grandfathered). They seem to have a dog in this fenced-in
yard, so presumably they want to keep the postal carrier away from this
dog. However, the mailbox does stick out, since it is the only structure
like it in the district, and we have to review it to act on a neighbor's
complaint. 

Has anyone addressed issues like this? Is anyone aware of any other
regulations that speak to this? The mailbox has been constructed on city
property, inches away from the curb.

Thanks,

Ralph Slate
Springfield, MA 
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