Received an email from Dale Ruzicka:

9/6/2026 9:57 AM

Package boxes

All,

I’ve received a couple questions regarding the installation of lockable package delivery boxes down at the Saddleback mailbox area…….

Question #1: Could lockable package delivery boxes be installed to reduce some of the delivery vehicle traffic on our road and also reduce possible theft?

Answer: I’m not aware of any prohibitions, but I will check with the Hermosa Postmaster to see there are, if they would readily use them, and if there are any mounting/positioning/sizing specs that must be applied.

Question #2: Are the same same federal protections {against tampering, etc,…} applicable to mailboxes, extend to separate package drop boxes?

Answer: I’m going to also ask the Hermosa Postmaster this question, but the online research I’ve done says they are not. Only official USPS approved mailboxes fall under those protections.  

I did find many varieties of metal lockable package drop boxes online for <$200, but the community as a whole would need to come together {because of how the key transfer process works} to donate and collaborate on their purchase and installation.  Road District funds cannot be used for such an activity.

And finally, none of the mailboxes {including my own} currently on the “rail”, meet the postal specs for mandated height set by the USPS {to allow easy loading through the window of a mail carriers window}.  That may be why the mail carrier has to often exit their vehicle to complete delivery.  If a renovation does occur, this issue may deserve correction.

If anyone is willing to step forward and be the project leader on coordinating a mail site renovation, please speak up and let the community know…..

Best regards,

Dale

9/20/17, 5:26 PM

Re: Road Work

Hi all,
Just getting back from our end-of-the-road meeting with Larry. Several neighbors were in attendance. Scott will be doing the work and picking up materials. We’ll have a 16′ plank held up by 3 posts spaced as evenly apart as the rocks will allow. It will be up to each of us to move our own boxes onto the plank. We will each have a one foot space. Ours is one of the big ones and it is 11 inches wide. So, when we have big ones next to each other, it will be a bit more of a tight fit, but it will fit.

I know a few of you will be replacing your boxes with larger ones. This should not be a problem. Also, there are two boxes that I know of that are not currently represented, but will be. We will have space for 16 boxes. We will address the need for more space if/when it arises.

We should try to stay in order as they are, making room in the appropriate spots for additions.

Scott’s pretty tractor is broken down at the moment. He’ll be getting that fixed. Then continuing on the project. However, if anybody has access to a tractor/bobcat and an auger, it would be appreciated down there. 3 holes are gonna suck to dig, even with an auger. Scott will be getting me a receipt and I guess, if I understand correctly, we would just split it up evenly, although it will be less than the $20 I originally suggested, and personally I think the $20 is more fair, especially since he has to fix his tractor already.

I’ll contact (or attempt), a couple neighbors we have not heard from yet.

Anybody want to chime in with their impressions or corrections etc?

Great to meet several of you.

(redacted)

So, what could the problem with the mailboxes be after 8 years of delivery with no complaints, and being personally guided by Larry, who was Stacy’s (our previous postmaster) boss?

Hmmm….

Talk about a fix in need of a problem.