Mailboxes can stay put

Florida Department of Transportation officials said they are planning to remove 41 new mailboxes this week that they just installed Friday, May 29 on Longboat Key.

“The decision was made based on the community’s concerns and inquiries,” said Darren Alfonso, public information officer for the state’s Gulf of Mexico Drive repaving project.

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and Public Works Director Juan Florensa also made inquiries to the department of transportation, asking for leniency.

On Friday, May 29, a state-hired contractor placed 41 new mailboxes at residences along Gulf of Mexico
Drive, because the existing ones were deemed either unsafe or non-compliant with regard to setback requirements for placement on a state highway.

Alfonso said certified letters were mailed to the affected homeowners Friday, June 5 and most letters were received Saturday, June 6. He said FDOT has waited to remove the mailboxes, because it wants to give homeowners time to decide whether or not they want to keep the new mailboxes.

Former Longboat Key Mayor Jeremy Whatmough, who urged town officials to look into the matter at a Town Commission regular meeting Monday, June 1, was happy to hear the news.

“The department of transportation did the right thing,” Whatmough said.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].