Streets

Right of Way Ordinance

The public rights-of-way are used to place both public and private utilities such as storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water
main, telecommunication, electric and gas lines. Recently, the Baxter City Council adopted an ordinance to ensure effective
and careful management of these public areas. Baxter’s ordinance addresses things such as:

  • Permit requirements and fees;
  • Registration and ROW Occupancy;
  • Standards for location and installation of equipment and lines;
  • Removal of abandoned equipment; and
  • Right-of-way restoration.

Under this ordinance, persons - including utility companies, telecommunication firms and private contractors - excavating
and obstructing the rights-of-way will bear financial responsibility for their work and provide for recovery
of out-of-pocket and projected costs to the City of Baxter. By adopting this ordinance, the City is able to maintain its
right-of-way in a state of good repair, provide for the safety of the public, protect the City's infrastructure and ensure
appropriate use.

Mailbox Support Design

Mailbox installation may seem simple, but residents need to think about safety before they install a new mailbox.

Improperly installed and/or maintained mailbox supports can become a fixed object hazard. Mailboxes that are not fixed properly to their support can break loose and become dangerous projectiles, endangering motorists and residents.

Therefore, the Baxter City Council adopted a mailbox support design and policy on June 15, 2010, which provides public right-of-ways that are safe, efficient, are free of unnecessary hazards, while providing minimum inconvenience to property owners.

The new policy requires swing away mailbox supports when installing a new mailbox support or replacing a deteriorating or broken mailbox support. In addition to being safer, a swing away support will assist in minimizing mailbox damage from snowplowing, thereby reducing damage claims and saving taxpayer’s dollars.

Snow and Ice Control Policy

The City of Baxter, Minnesota, finds that it is in the best interest of the residents of the city to assume basic responsibility for control of snow and ice on city streets. Reasonable ice and snow control is necessary for routine travel and emergency services. The city will attempt to provide such control in a safe and cost effective manner, keeping in mind safety, budget, personnel, and environmental concerns. The city will use city employees, equipment and/or private contractors to provide this service. This policy does not relieve the operator of private vehicles, pedestrians, property owners, residents and all others that may be using public streets, of their responsibility to act in a reasonable, prudent and cautious manner, given the prevailing street conditions.

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