CLAVERACK–The U.S. Postal Service will brief the Town Board and the public on its proposal for a new Mellenville Post Office at the Thursday, July 13 Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Claverack Town Hall, 836 Highway 217, Philmont, NY 12565.
The press release announcing the presentation says that postal officials “will provide a comprehensive overview of the proposal, invite questions and solicit input.”
Kurtis Bullard, a real estate specialist with the Postal Service in Greensboro, NC, said that the lease on the current site of the small Mellenville Post Office on Route 217 just west of Philmont will expire “in the middle of next year,” and the property owner has indicated that the lease will not be renewed.
Postal officials are now hoping to find a new site where the Postal Service can erect a “modular unit” similar to ones used in Minnesota, Mr. Bullard said. He added that that the Postal Service is “hoping to work with local government” to find public land for the new post office.
Asked whether the Postal Service would consider closing the post office if land cannot be found, Mr. Bullard said the service would need the approval of Congress to close any post office.
He did not say what a new post office would cost, but he did note that the U.S. Postal Service, which has a $60-billion annual operating budget, does not take “any taxpayer money.”
Written comments about the proposal may be submitted for 30 days after the July 13 public meeting. Written comments should be addressed to: Kurtis Bullard, Real Estate Specialist, United States Postal Service, P.O. Box 27497, Greensboro NC 27498-1103.
Public announcements of the proposal and information on submitting written comments are also posted in the Mellenville Post Office lobby, 671 State Route 217.
