Avoca officials say they’ll fight closing of post office

AVOCA – Borough officials are vowing to fight the permanent shuttering of the Avoca Post Office, which closed abruptly last month.

The U.S. Postal Service wants to know whether borough residents and business owners care if the services of the local post office are moved permanently to Duryea.

“We want them to stay open,” said borough council President Joseph Satkowski. “We protested and now, hopefully, the people get behind us.”

Borough Secretary Ann Baclasky said that when she went to pick up mail on Aug. 4, there was a notice on the front door “that the post office would close effective the end of business on Friday,” three days later.

Satkowski said officials have heard an earful from residents and business owners.

“When it first closed, a lot of people were upset,” he said. “It was such short notice that it took everybody by surprise.”

In a cover letter that accompanies a questionnaire about the closing, the Postal Service blames the closing on “several safety concerns” at the 701 Main St. branch.

The letter, signed by Robert L. Varano, post office review coordinator, states that the Postal Service would like to combine the Avoca branch’s retail and box services in the Duryea branch at 450 Stephenson St., two miles away. Carrier delivery would not be affected by consolidation.

The letter and two-page questionnaire are dated Sept. 2. The borough sent a press release to area media on Wednesday to inform residents of the situation and to make them aware that questionnaires are available at the borough office.

Questions include what services people use, whether they pass other post offices on their way to work or shopping and whether respondents would continue to patronize Avoca businesses if the office remains closed. Responses will be accepted until Sept. 18.

Baclasky said the borough was told the Postal Service would schedule a public hearing once questionnaires had been analyzed.

She also said borough officials, who oppose the closing, were seeking help from other elected officials. “We have been in contact with Congressman (Paul) Kanjorski’s office,” she said. “They’ve been very helpful to us.”

Postal service questionnaires and self-addressed, stamped envelopes are available in the Avoca Municipal Building, 752 Main St., between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the front entrance and 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. in the rear entrance.