SHUTESBURY — Dozens of people on the town green in the heart of Shutesbury Thursday afternoon, just across the street from the U.S. post office, erupted in cheers as the postal worker locked up the site for the day, waved to them and drove off in a vehicle.
While the rally was organized to stave off the possible permanent closure of the 8 Wendell Road location on June 6, with residents expected to have to trek to the Leverett post office after that date, those participating made sure to show their appreciation for the place they have been able to pick up mail, inside and outside the post office, and transact business at the counter, since the 1950s.
Those in attendance were given a glimmer of hope as Jesse Lederman, the regional director from the office of U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, said that the U.S. Postal Service will resume negotiations to continue the current lease.
“We’re glad they’re going back to the table,” Lederman said, though he added that there is no commitment to avoiding a temporary closure.
Along with a grievance filed by the postal union, an appeal from the town and advocacy from residents, Lederman said the possible closure is part of a long trend of “degrades and threats” to public services.
Still, Markey is calling on the U.S. Postal Service to keep the post office open as negotiations get underway and to continue uninterrupted service for correspondence and medication.
“Access to postal service is essential to residents,” Lederman said.
“We have to commend all of the residents and leaders here in Shutesbury,” Lederman said. “You are living proof that here in Massachusests, we don’t antagonize, we organize.”
Waving signs reading “save our post office,” “pick on someone your own size,” and “our post office is how to connect with neighbors and the world,” with the occasional passing car honking, people made their feelings known, including to a documentary filmmaker filming the event.
While most of the time people were on the green and filling out community impact statements, they briefly walked to the post office, posing for a photo on the steps and ramp.
Town Administrator Hayley Bolton helped to organize the rally and the three members of the Select Board were on hand, along with other town officials.
“A lot of people want to keep this service,” Bolton said.
The town has formally challenged the decision based on several primary violations of Title 39 of the U.S. Code, such as requiring a minimum of 60 days’ notice before a post office may be closed or consolidated, whereas Shutesbury was given only 30 days; that the postal service notice omitted mandatory information regarding the community’s right to appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission; and that the 15-mile round trip for some is not the federally required “effective and regular” service to rural areas.
Those who attended included 30-year resident, Denise Chiminiello, who has one of the indoor post office boxes and dreads having to make a longer commute.
“In the winter it gets gets prety hairy around here, and it will be hard to get to the next town over,” Chiminiello said.
Both medication and professional journals, from her career in nursing and veterianry science, come in the mail. “I rely on it heavily,” Chiminiello said.
Another longtime resident, B.Z. Reily, said the post office is important for many.
“Neighbors will have to drive eight miles for their medications,” Reily said.
Many older residents participated, but among a younger generation was Joanna Phillips, who said she can walk to the post office and came out “to fend for myself and our small town.”
Phillips said conventional mail is still necessary for the disability paperwork she receives, signs and returns promptly.
“To me, that’s huge,” Phillips said. “Mail to me is crucial, and I rely on it on a regular basis.”
Bolton said a letter was received by U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern’s office from Matthew Weir, manager of post office operations, which was provided to the town. The letter pointed to some of the lapses:
“Our standard process includes notifying the Congressman’s office alongside customers, this step appears to have been missed by notifying the Congressman’s office. I am investigating the lapse and apologize for the oversight. I’ll coordinate with internal stakeholders to address the additional concerns raised — specifically, the potential to postpone the closure beyond June 6 and the resulting hardship for residents.”
And there is lingering uncertainty whether the post office is legitimately unable to renew its lease with the property owner, which is listed as Gregory and Kathryn Steve, or if that is being used as an excuse, according to some town officials.
Also on the table, next to the community impact statement forms, was a small banner that people were asked to autograph.
Bolton said she wasn’t sure what would be done with the banner, but hoped that the signatures on it could be become part of the historical record of successfuly saving the town’s post office.
