Residents, Elected Officials Advocate for Nonantum and Lower Falls Post Offices

Although there were only 30-35 residents at a public meeting last night, the patrons of the and post offices certainly had their voices heard loud and clear.

"One of the reasons why we moved [to Nonantum] was for the post office," said David Marks, who owns . 

Marks was one of many who spoke last night at a public meeting held to hear comment on the possible closure of the Nonantum and Lower Falls post offices.

, where 60 people packed the War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall to discuss the closure of the West Newton, Upper Falls and Boston College post offices. 

across the country, 30 of which are in the Boston area. This proposal is something the United States Postal Service (USPS) has put forward in hopes of saving money and tackling its estimated $8-10 billion deficit, according to Boston Postmaster Jim Holland.

The criteria for review of the post offices included the number of alternative post office locations nearby as well as annual revenue, which had to reach $600,000 to avoid a review. According to documents provided by the USPS:

• The Newton Lower Falls branch brought in $342,231 in fiscal 2010 and would save the USPS $1,693,211 over 10 years if closed.
• The Nonantum branch brought in $469,410 in fiscal 2012 and would save the USPS $1,638,131 over 10 years if closed.

For full copies of the reports, click the .pdf to the right or visit one of the post offices on the list for possible closure. 

Citizen and elected officials share concerns

Marks, along with several other business owners and residents, brought up issues of the post offices' walkability, the friendly service and the fact that the post office something to tie a village together. 

"Part of what makes Nonantum a village is the fact that it has a post office" Marks said. "It acts as an anchor."

Newton Congressman Barney Frank (D-4th) stopped by the meeting to offer his thoughts on the potential closure, something he said he will do what he can to prevent.

Both Frank and Holland indicated there are bills pending on Capitol Hill that could provide some relief -- but not solve -- the Postal Service's current debt crisis. 

"I believe a six-day week postal service with convenient post offices is an important part to the fabric of this country," Frank said.

Frank also noted the act of dedicating a post office, something he must do from time to time. Those post office dedications are often reserved for the men and women who are killed while serving in the military overseas, Frank said.

"Naming a post office is an important way the community indicates its feeling," Frank said, later adding, "no one has ever asked me to dedicate an iPod."

For Nonantum residents and business owners, last night's public meeting was all too familiar. Two years ago, the USPS took a "bottom-up" approach -- meaning the closure list came locally rather than from Washington -- and proposed closing the Nonantum Branch.

However, after a large public outpouring, the USPS decided to keep the Nonantum branch open, according to Dennis Tarmey, spokesman for the USPS’ Greater Boston District who was at last night's meeting.

Newton aldermen from Ward 1 also attended the meeting to advocate for the Nonantum post office, Alderman-at-Large Carleton Merrill voiced his concern for the senior population, as there are multiple low-income and senior housing complexes in the area. These residents, Merrill pointed out, cannot drive to the Newtonville Post Office, which would be where the Nonantum branch's services would move. 

Parking is also a major concern at Newtonville, as residents often have to park far away and cross four lanes of traffic to get to the building.

"I think you're hearing loud and clear, it's part of our fabric," said Ward 1 Alderman Scott Lennon. "It would leave a real hole in our community."

Lennon was also on hand to read comments from State Rep. John Lawn (D-Watertown), whose 10th Middlesex District covers Nonantum. Lawn also advocated for keeping the Nonantum branch open.

As for the Lower Falls Branch, residents pointed out that it is not only a branch that serves Lower Falls, it also serves multiple neighborhoods in Welleslsey. One of those neighborhoods includes an assisted living facility, as business owner John Cahill pointed out.

Cahill said he drives from Holliston to Lower Falls just to use the post office, mainly because the staff behind the counter is friendly and helpful.

Bill Renke, president of the Lower Falls Improvement Association, noted several main points to keeping the Lower Falls office closing including the fact that it is a modern facility with handicap parking and was the first post office location in Newton. Moreover, Renke pointed out that it serves three different housing complexes including those that house elderly, low-income and handicap residents. 

Renke also mentioned the potential of residents coming in from the 290 housing units . 

How the review/closure works

According to Postmaster Holland, once a post office closes, all of the P.O Boxes and services are shifted to a "parent" office somewhere else in the town or city. In the case of the two offices discussed last night, both post offices would go to the .

Holland said at a meeting earlier this month that those with a P.O. Box in one of the closed offices would not lose that P.O. Box number or zip code, as the box would physically be moved to the parent location but retain all its address information. 

In addition, Holland said there will be no cost savings in staff reductions, as all carriers and clerks would be shifted to the parent office. The savings, he said, come in overtime costs where there are shortages at other post offices. 

Over the next two months, the USPS will be seeking comments and questions from residents about the potential post office closures. Residents who use the Nonantum and Lower Falls branches have until Jan. 9 to submit comments and questionnaires. Details on submitting comments listed below.

Once the USPS decides to close a post office, a notice will be placed in that post office's lobby for 30 days. During that time, residents will have a last-minute chance to submit any comments about the closure. After those 30 days are up, the post office will close no less than 60 days later. 

Residents can submit comments through questionnaires mailed to their house or by writing a letter. Those letters and questionnaires can be turned in at the local post offices or be mailed directly to the Boston-area discontinuance coordinator:

District Discontinuance Coordinator
Greater Boston PFC
25 Dorchester Ave.
Boston, MA 02205-0098 

If you did not receive a questionnaire by mail, you can pick one up in the Upper Falls, West Newton, Boston College, Nonantum or Lower Falls post offices.