Thursday, March 20, 2008

Postal Service wants new digs at Meriden

by Clarke Davis

The U.S. Postal Service has announced intentions of expanding the Meriden post office or relocating.

In a letter to Mayor Andy Surritt, District Manager Michael Holloway stated the it had been determined that the present postal facility at 103 Main Street is inadequate to serve the future postal needs of the community.

“We need to expand operations to enhance both the quality of postal services we provide to your community and our employees’ working conditions,” Holloway said.

The first consideration of the Postal Service will be to expand the existing postal facililty. Otherwise it will seek a new location either moving to another building or building new, according to the mayor’s letter.

The current post office building is owned by Meriden pharmacist Larry Froelich and his brother, Jerry Froelich.

“The Postal Service wishes to work in partnership with your community. Therefore, we ask your assistance and cooperation in having this project scheduled for the next available town meeting so that the general public may express its opinions and offer constructive comments on the project,” Holloway wrote.

City officials have placed the matter on the April 8 agenda. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

The Postal Service had plans to relocate to new facilities in 1997, but it’s believed they were shelved because of budget constraints. The post office serves over 1,400 patrons at the city location and three rural routes.

James Bowen has been the officer in charge of the Meriden Post Office since November 2006. He is the Carbondale postmaster.