Residents Pack Hearing on Possible Post Office Closures

Concerned residents, politicians and union members packed a public hearing Wednesday to voice their support for the West Medford and Tufts post office branches.

Over 50 people turned out to the hearing, held by the U.S. Postal Service at the Magoun Room in . The two branches are on a list of about 3,700 post offices nationwide the postal service is considering for closure.

The postal service lost $8 billion last year and is on pace to lost $10 billion this year, said Boston Postmaster James Holland. Closing certain branches is part of a plan to address the growing losses, Holland said.

"We are in very deep financial trouble, but on the same point we want to hear from the community," he said.

Mayor Michael McGlynn and several city councilor members all told Holland they opposed closing the branches. Along with the political support, former Medford principal

Closing the two branches would put too much of a burden on the Medford Square Post Office, and on seniors who would have to drive from other parts of the city to get there, McGlynn said. Both post offices have been considered for closure before, he said.

"We’re in strong opposition to this, as we were the last time around," McGlynn said.

The offices ended up on the list because - though profitable - they have seen a decline in revenue and in foot traffic in recent years, Holland said. Revenue at the Tufts branch is down 30 percent since 2008, and the West Medford branch 10 percent, he said.

Both offices also generate less than $600,000 in revenue and have another post office within a two mile radius, two other factors that landed them on the list, Holland said.

The input taken from the public hearing and from questionnaires sent to Medford homes will be considered in the Postal Service's review of the branches, which will follow a 90-day comment period which began in early October, Holland said.

"No final decision has been made as far as the possible closure of teither of these offices," Holland said.

Councilors Oppose Closures

Closing the post office could prompt some residents to get their postal needs taken care of in other communities, and run there other errands out of town, too, City Councilor Mark Arena said.

That’s going to have a devastating effect on our economy," Arena said.

Councilor Robert Maiocco said the West Medford branch serves a large senior population, who would struggle to travel further. He called on McGlynn to lead the charge in keeping the branches.

"I’m glad to see the mayor pumped up because he’s got to lead us on this," Maiocco said.

Councilor Robert Penta said if the Postal Service needs to cut down spending, it should be eliminating administrative positions.

"Don’t blame the internet because you’re losing postage," Penta said. "Cut down your administration, cut down in Washington.”

Councilors Breanna Lungo-Koehn and Paul Camuso also spoke out against the possible closures.

Raymond Bell, area vice president of the American Postal Workers Union, said it didn't make sense to close the branches when they are profitable. According to figures provided by the union, the Tufts branch recently brought in an annual profit of $114,000, and the West Medford branch made $318,000.

"The post offices work," Bell said. "These post offices up the street work -  They are profitable."

Massachusetts Post Office officials have been in the process of holding public hearings in communities around the state, and Holland said he's noticed the crowds are swelling.

"With each meeting the crowds have been increasing," he said. "It’s not only the members of the local community, but it’s the elected officials, too."