Your local post office might not be opening later after all.
Plans to adjust opening times for all Brooklyn post offices have been put on hold, this paper has learned.
Early last month, Joseph Chiossone, Brooklyn’s postmaster, dispatched a letter to Community Board 18, which encompasses Marine Park, Canarsie, Mill Basin, and surrounding areas, informing the board that effective Jan. 24, all post office lobbies will open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, and on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some stations open as early as 8 a.m.
“Due to our current economic climate, we have adjusted to a more efficient and cost effective operation,” Chiossone said in the letter, dated Jan. 8. “In order to remain viable, the Postal Service must make changes to its operations, staffing and facilities to match the current economic climate.”
But Bob Trombley, a spokesperson for the United States Post Office, said this week that the situation is “very fluid,” and that the changes would not be taking hold.
“Yes he did send it [the letter]. That was the plan at the time,” Trombley said. “We are currently revisiting the plan on what we are doing with our stations,” he added.
Dorothy Turano, the district manager of Community Board 18, said that her office was told the changes were a done deal. “But I haven’t been to the post office,” she noted. The board, which acts as an intermediary between the public and governmental agencies, has not received any complaints about post office hours, Turano said.
Even if the changes take effect, three Brooklyn stations would maintain their extended hours. Both the Canarsie Station, 102-01 Flatlands Avenue, and the Kensington Station, 419 McDonald Avenue, would be open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, the letter states. The Cadman Plaza post office would be open during the work week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While rain, sleet and snow might not stop the mail from getting delivered, a tough economy might. The USPS is considering curtailing mail delivery service to five days. Last year, the USPS lost $3 billion, and the deficit in 2009 could double, according to published reports.
“We are in the same situation as many businesses right now,” Trombley said. We are in very difficult economic times, so we are constantly looking at our operations.
“We are evaluating our operations to ensure we remain efficient, but at the same time keeping the customer and service in mind,” he continued.
As for amending hours of operations, Trombley reiterated, “I’m not going to never say never, but at this time not being thought of as an option.”
