60°
SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to delay any closing or consolidation of post offices or mail processing facilities until May 15, 2012 in response to a request by multiple U.S. Senators, the Postal Service announced Tuesday. Sleepy Hollow's Post Office is among several thousand branches under review for possible closure.
The study process continues, said David Partenheimer, spokesperson U.S. Postal Service, noting that Tuesday's announcement does not halt the organization's review process to determine which post office branches it should close.
Partenheimer explained the announcement only means that if the Postal Service decides to move forward and close a post office, it could not do so until May 15.
Since the announcement that the Sleepy Hollow Post Office was under review for possible closure, Postal Service officials have met with Sleepy Hollow residents at a public meeting. The Postal Service has also set up commenting stations at both Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown Post Offices to gather community input of the possible closing.
Just because a facility is on the list doesn't mean it's closing, Partenheimer said.
Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown residents have until Jan. 4 to submit comments on the potential closure.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Postal Service said it hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D N.Y.) was one of the senators requesting the five-month moratorium on post office closing decisions.
The U.S. Postal Service plays a vital role in every community, Gillibrand said. Small businesses, families, and seniors depend on these facilities daily. While this is not a permanent solution, I am pleased that the Postmaster General is putting a six-month moratorium on the closures of postal facilities.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.
