The U.S. Post Office, saddled with an artificial deficit caused by its mandate to pay years ahead into its worker benefits funds, continues with plans to shut down 3,700 post offices and 252 sorting facilities throughout the country. The changes were scheduled to get under way this month, but in response to a request by Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and 14 other U.S. Senators, the USPS agreed to move back the schedule of closings from January until May.
In the Valley, the sorting facility in Springfield is responsible, not only for the Springfield postmark on local letters, but for the speed of service that in most cases gets mail to its destination within the region in one day. But the Post Office has announced plans to transfer the Springfield sorting center’s function to Hartford.
The delay imposed by Congress generated some confusion locally about everything from whether the USPS would change its mind about closing the Springfield facility to whether it might shut it down this month in spite of the mandated delay. Last week the Advocate reached Maureen Marion, a spokeswoman for the USPS in Hartford, who said the plan is still to transfer the Springfield sorting center’s function to Hartford, but not this month. Said Marion, “The activity [transferring the operation] date has been moved back to May, but we are still looking to do that action.” The delay will give Congress time to consider legislation that may obviate the need for some or all of the closings (to speak to your congressperson, call the Capitol at 202-224-3121 and ask for his or her office).
