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July 3, 2009

Meeting to focus on post office

The U.S. Postal Service has scheduled a public meeting related to New Castle’s mail processing facility.

The session — which will begin at 7 p.m. July 15 — will deal with the possibility of moving some local mail operations to Pittsburgh.

The meeting will be at New Castle High School. Those attending have been asked to park in the lot behind the school off Hurricane Drive, and use the building’s rear entrance.

Postal officials said the meeting will last no longer than two hours.

The proposal has met with stiff opposition locally, with postal employees, government officials and residents staging demonstrations and objecting to the possible loss of local jobs and services.

According to a press release issued on the meeting, a summary of the proposal, agenda and presentation materials will be made available online at usps.com prior to the session.

The postal service said that declining mail volume, attributed to the weak economy, has resulted in an excess of employees and equipment at some of its facilities. A study began April 10 at the New Castle processing and distribution facility on Cascade Street, to determine if efficiencies and cost savings were possible by consolidating some operations in New Castle and Pittsburgh.

According to the postal service, the study supports consolidating some mail processing operations by moving them from New Castle to Pittsburgh. Officials said this will increase efficiency and improve productivity.

Critics point out this would mean the loss of some jobs in New Castle. They also claim it will result in slower mail delivery locally.

Stressing that no final decision has been made, postal officials said they will offer an overview of their reasons for consolidation at the July 15 meeting. They also will explain possible outcomes, as well as take input from the community.

Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing regarding the proposal may send them to: Consumer Affairs Manager, Western Pennsylvania District, 1001 California Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15290-1007.

Public comments will be accepted until July 30.

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