Public input sought as 4 plans mulled
The Montague Post Office could see a reduction in hours. or even possible closure, as the POST Plan to streamline post offices across the country comes to the county.
A public meeting is scheduled for July 16 in Montague to hear public comment on possible changes in service at the Montague Post Office. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Community Center located at 11339 State Highway 59N, Montague.
According to a release from the U.S. Postal Service, this will be an opportunity for local management of the post office to share results of a recent customer survey, answer questions and provide information about the POST Plan.
The POST Plan was put into place in early 2012 as a way to reduce hours at 13,000 post offices. Many of the changes were made without public meetings where there were postmaster vacancies. It has been reported some 4,000 postmasters have taken the retirement incentive.
The USPS reports it will take about a week to make a decision. If hours are changed, those are posted and become effective in 30 days. The postal service will not make a final decision regarding the Montague office until after the public meeting.
There are seven post office locations in Montague County in Bowie, Nocona, Saint Jo, Montague, Ringgold, Forestburg and Sunset.
Four options are being considered for the Montague Post Office through the POST Plan:
Keep the office open based on actual office workload. For Montague, hours would be reduced from seven each weekday to six per weekday. Current Saturday hours will not change as a result of the POST Plan and access to delivery receptacles will not be affected.
Conduct a discontinuance study for the office and offer roadside mailbox delivery. Retail and delivery service would be provided through a rural carrier.
Mail delivery points will be established, and customers can purchase most postal services through the carrier or other alternate access points.
Conduct a discontinuance study for the office and find a suitable alternative location operated by a contractor, usually at a local business.
When businesses are found that meet the criteria, these establishments are contracted through the U.S. Postal Service and offer stamps and flat rate products with service hours generally more expansive that what the local PO will be able to offer.
Conduct a discontinuance study for the office and provide PO Box service via another nearby post office and relocate PO Box delivery to that post office.