Mailbox Replacement Project

What do the new boxes look like? The FLV Board examined many colors and styles.  The choice was hard.  In the end, we felt this style (see image at right) and the black color was best for the neighborhood.

When will they be installed?

(updated 05/18/2014)

Installation of the new mail boxes is complete!  The installer will come around next week to complete cleanup (we are awaiting a 2nd dumpster) and fix any issues that we have found over the weekend. 

Week #2 of installation began on May 12th. The new post holes are ready and the new mailboxes have been assembled. The old mailbox clusters were removed and the new posts were installed into the holes with a concrete footing. It will take at least 24 hours for the concrete to cure, so mail delivery once the old box has been pulled will be interrupted for 1-3 days

Check this website often!!

How long will the project take?   (updated May 18, 2014)

It depends on the weather and temperature conditions. We expect the project to be done in two weeks from the time installation starts and anticipate the installation to be completed before Memorial Day.

Week #2 installation begins Monday May 12th. The project is expected to be complete by the end of this week.

Friday, May 16th:  Mailbox installation has been completed.

Week #3: The installer will come around the neighborhood to finish cleaning up/disposing of old mailboxes and to fix any issues we have found with the new mailboxes. Several of the packets of Numbers were damaged and have been RUSH ordered. When they come in, they will be added to those mailboxes that are missing the house number. In the meantime, in an effort to have mail continue to be delivered (the US Postal Service will deliver mail to a box without a house number on it) we have put a piece of Blue tape on the mailbox temporarily with your house number on it. Please do not remove the tape or your mail will not be delivered. If your house number is incorrect on the blue tape, Please either let use know (board@fordlakevillage.com) or remove the tape and put a new piece on your box with the correct house number. 

Will mail service be disrupted?

Yes.  Once the old mailbox is removed, it will take a day or two for the new mailbox to be installed.  During this time the postmaster will hold your mail until the new box is installed.  The Board is trying to keep this time as short as possible. The current estimate for mail delay is 3 days.

(see question below re how parking may affect this)

How is the mailbox replaced?  (updated May 7, 2014)

As you may have noticed this week, the installer began with prep work for the new mailbox posts. When possible, the installer is attempting to keep the location of the new mailbox cluster the same. They dug around the existing posts. Using a Bobcat with and auger attachment, they were able to pull out the old clusters and then prep the hole further using the auger. In some instances, the old posts were in concrete. When they tried to pull the old mailbox cluster out, the post snapped at the point that it entered the concrete. If this happened to your cluster of mailboxes, the installer then proceeded to dig a new hole to either side of the old hole. He then placed the old mailbox cluster into the new hole and filled the old hole with the excess dirt

As of Wednesday, May 7th, the installer has completed the post hole prep work for most of the subdivision. Farm Lane will be next - weather permitting. 

Once the post hole prep work has been completed, the installer will assemble the mailboxes and prepare them for installation.  They will then remove the old mail boxes from the holes and install the new posts in concrete. The new posts will need to cure for a minimum of 24 hours before the new mailboxes can be mounted.

All Mailboxes have been assembled and the new posts will begin to be installed starting Monday, May 12th. The new posts will be installed into a concrete footing which will take a minimum of 24 hours to cure. Once the concrete has cured, the new mailboxes will be installed onto the posts. We anticipate completion of the project by the end of this week. 

What will happen to my mail if it is left in the old mailboxes?

PLEASE remove all mail from your old mailbox and newspaper slots today (Monday, May 12, 2014)

Legally, only the Homeowner/Resident can remove mail from their mailbox. Therefore, we need each homeowner/resident to empty their mailbox prior to installation.  If your mailbox contains mail on the day installation begins, the old mailbox, with any mail left inside, will be left on your porch.  It will then become your responsibility to dispose of the old mailbox.

Is there a charge I will have to pay?

Your annual dues are being used to pay for this project.

Will the installer need to use my house for anything?

This project will only be at the curb.  It is possible the installer will need water from outside spigots to mix concrete for the new posts. The installation company will ask your permission if they need to use your outside water spigot. There is no need for the company to enter your house or garage for any other purpose.

Can my car stay in the street?

On the days of the installation you will need to pull your car(s) into a driveway or park them away from the area of installation.  PLEASE do not park on the street side in which the mail boxes lie during installation and removal. This will drastically delay the project and resumption of your mail service. The board will place “No Parking” flyers on the old mail boxes before installation.

I have a sprinkler system, what do I need to do to prevent it from being damaged during the new mailbox installation?

Please get your underground sprinkler system lines, sprinkler heads, and invisible fencing lines marked ASAP in the area in between the sidewalk and the street.  MISS DIG will be coming around within the next week to remark the utility lines, but they do not mark sprinkler or invisible fencing lines.  If you are not certain what to do, contact the Board (board@fordlakevillage.com) and we will assist you with getting your lines clearly marked.

Who is doing the work?

The FLV Board looked over a number of different contractors, took bids and selected the company we thought would do the best job. The installation company is:

          "American Mailbox Services", http://www.abcmailbox.com/

Does the new mailbox have a pull out drawer? Can I use my “little red slider” that is in my current mailbox?

The new mailboxes are slightly larger than the ones we currently have and do not have a pullout liner.  The “red slider” we currently have fits into the new mailbox, but it is too narrow and will not stop without falling out when you pull it toward you. Once the mailboxes are installed we will see if there is a way to modify the red slider to fit the new mailboxes and keep them from falling out when you pull on them to get your mail.

UPDATE (05/18/2014): Several residents have inquired about the return of their red sliders. The new mailboxes are larger than our old one and the red slider is now too small to not fall out when you pull it. The board is trying to retrofit the sliders to fit the new mailboxes. They will be returned to the mailboxes once we have a viable solution. 

UPDATE (05/03/2014): In preparation for the install, FLV board members will once again be removing the red sliders from your mailboxes on Sunday, May 4th around 10:00 am..

UPDATE (04/23/2014): In preparation for the install, FLV board members will once again be removing the red sliders from your mailboxes over the weekend of April 26th and 27th.

UPDATE (12/23/2013):  Due to the weather, installation has been delayed until Spring 2014. FLV Board Members will be putting your sliders back into your mailboxes sometime after Christmas. Once the weather breaks in the spring and we are able to move forward with the install, FLVPOA Board members will once again come around to remove the sliders.

UPDATE (12/12/2013):  FLV Board Members removed most the red sliders from mailboxes on Sunday, Dec 8th. The sliders on High Ridge and Farm Lane will be removed this weekend. If we are able to retrofit the sliders to work in the new mailboxes, the FLV board will replace the slider into the mailboxes that previously had them. If you do not want to have the slider put back in your mailbox, feel free to e-mail the board (board@fordlakevillage.com) and we will either discard your slider or give it to someone who wants one that didn't have one, or you may ask that we return it to you if you have a mailbox elsewhere that you would like to use it in. 

UPDATE (12/17/2013): Although the red sliders were removed from most mailboxes, if the installation is delayed until Spring, we will put the sliders back into your mailbox until closer to the install date.

What is happening to the old mailboxes?

UPDATE (05/12/2014):

We are keeping the red pull-out/slider drawer.  We will replace flag holders (used to display the american flag on appropriate holidays) with new ones that do not put a hole in the new mailbox. The installation company will dispose of the old mailboxes. If you would like to keep your old mailbox for use at another location, you may do so. Now (May 12th) is the time to remove your old mailbox if you want to keep it. 

How can I keep updated on this project?

In an effort to keep you as informed as possible, we recommend that you check the FLV web site, http://www.fordlakevillage.com/  often.  We will also be distributing flyers to your mailbox and sending you an e-mail (provided you shared your e-mail address with us when you submitted this year’s dues payment).   However, the website will be the source of truth regarding this project.  Bookmark it and check it often for updates.

What if I have questions that have not yet been answered by the previously distributed flyers or this FAQ?

Please feel free to e-mail the Ford Lake Village Property Owner’s Association Board at any time board@fordlakevillage.com. We welcome your feedback and/or questions and hope you are as excited about the new mailboxes as we are.