[Added 5-1-2019 by Ord. No. 19-13]
The purpose of this article is to establish standard rates of
reimbursement or replacement, as the case may be, for damages to motor
vehicles and private property caused by town vehicles during the course
of work in cleaning and maintaining Town-owned streets and roads,
and to provide such standard rates that are consistent with those
provided for by the State of Rhode Island.
This article shall apply to streets owned and maintained by
the Town of Cumberland. State roads do not fall within this article.
(a)
If any person or entity shall incur damage to his/her/its motor vehicle
by reason of a pothole on any Town road, which damage would not have
occurred without the existence of a pothole, he/she it may recover
from the Town the amount of damages sustained up to and not more than
the sum of $300. All claims shall be made within a period of seven
days from the date on which the damage was sustained by filing a written
claim as prescribed by the Office of the Solicitor, who shall forward
such claim to the Department of Public Works for investigation and
determination of the merits of any such claim submitted, such determination
shall be provided within seven days of receipt.
(b)
Upon receipt of a determination, the Solicitor's Office shall submit
the claim with all supporting documentation to the Finance Subcommittee
of the Town Council for approval. Upon approval, the Finance Director
shall pay the claim within 30 days.
(a)
If any person or entity shall incur damage to his/her/its mailbox
by reason of a Town vehicle or private vendor hired by the Town, he/she
it may recover from the Town the amount of damages sustained up to
and not more than the sum of $60. All claims shall be made within
a period of seven days from the date on which the damage was sustained
by filing a written claim as prescribed by the Office of the Solicitor,
who shall forward such claim to the Department of Public Works for
investigation and determination of the merits of any such claim submitted,
such determination shall be provided within seven days of receipt.
(1)
Upon receipt of a determination, the Solicitor's Office shall
submit the claim with all supporting documentation to the Finance
Subcommittee of the Town Council for approval. Upon approval, the
Finance Director shall pay the claim within 30 days.
(b)
Alternatively, a person may submit a claim directly to the Highway
Department and, if the Department determines that the claim has merit,
the Highway Department will replace the mailbox and post with a standard
mailbox and pressure treated wood post; a temporary post may be installed
if the ground is frozen and will be secured into the ground when appropriate.
