Vote Wednesday On New Zip Code for Flanders, Riverside, Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton could be one step closer Wednesday to getting their own zip code.

At a press event Tuesday, Congressman Lee Zeldin was joined by New York State Senator Ken LaValle, New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., and members of the community at the David W. Crohan Community Center in Flanders to announce the House vote on H.R. 6303, new legislation that was introduced by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz.

The legislation includes a section within the bill that would create a new, unique zip code for the hamlets of Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton, in the Town of Southampton, Zeldin said.

“Since entering Congress in 2015, I have been working to secure a new zip code for Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton," Zeldin said.

In August 2015, Zeldin said he sent a letter to the United States Postal Service Postmaster officially requesting that the hamlets of Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton, be assigned a new zip code in order to make them distinguishable from Riverhead Town.

"The post office, which denied the initial request that I then appealed, has since been unresponsive," Zeldin said.

Throughout the process, Zeldin said he's worked closely with Chaffetz, whose committee has jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service, "to get this problem fixed as quickly as possible."

In September 2016, Zeldin brought Chaffetz to Flanders to meet with a group of community leaders from the impacted area and explain to him firsthand about the importance of securing a new zip code for the communities.

On Monday, November 14, Chairman Chaffetz introduced H.R. 6303, which passed out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee by voice vote on November 16, Zeldin said.

"Since then, I have been working to further advance this bill, and I am excited to announce that the bill has been scheduled for a vote on the House floor tomorrow, November 30, 2016, and is expected to pass," Zeldin said Tuesday.

"After House passage, the next step is for the Senate to pass the bill as well. This process does not require a Senate sponsor, although if a senator chooses to introduce the same bill separately that wouldn’t hurt," he said.

In addition, Zeldin said, another proposal, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2016, also introduced by Chairman Chaffetz, would also create a new, unique zip code for Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton; the bill was passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 12 and awaits further action by the House.

"This is another legislative option that I am pursuing, as well. I would like to thank the local elected officials and community leaders who have been working with me every step of the way," Zeldin said. "For many years, residents, local elected officials, and community organizations have been aware of this issue and the problems it brings, but despite their previous efforts to resolve this matter, the issue still serves to be a burden on many of the residents, businesses, and organizations in this area of our congressional district."

Elected officials and members of the community applauded the work done so far on Tuesday.

Ronald Fisher, chairman of the Flanders, Riverside & Northampton Citizens Advisory Council and president of the Flanders Riverside and Northampton Community Association, said, “Obtaining a zip code for the Southampton hamlets of Flanders, Riverside and Northampton independent from the town of Riverhead has been a top priority for our community for decades. Not only has Congressman Zeldin taken our request farther than any other elected official, he has done so with an unprecedented sense of urgency, leaving no stone unturned in his legislative quest to help our community."

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. also noted, “The assignment of these three new zip codes will help create a renewed sense of identity for the Flanders community, especially during a time in which so much effort is being put forth to revitalize and redevelop the area. I applaud and thank Congressman Zeldin for his leadership and commitment on this issue and the people of Flanders.”

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman offered his thoughts. “The people of Flanders, Riverside and Northampton have long awaited this moment. I want to congratulate Congressman Zeldin for delivering this unique gift to the community, just in time for the holidays," he said.