Postmaster Returns to Town After 24 Years

Bill Dunn started his career with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1983 in North Reading as a letter carrier and is now the town’s postmaster. In his 29^th year of service, Dunn is happy to be back in North Reading.

After working in town for five years, Dunn was promoted and transferred to Wilmington where he worked as the superintendent of postal operations for 17 years. Throughout that time, he was transferred to other offices such as Lynnfield, Rowley and Middleton for months at a time where he worked as their postmaster until USPS filled the open position.

“You get a feel for other operations and how other towns operate. It’s a change of pace, it broadens your knowledge and gives you the opportunity to work for new people and network,” Dunn said.

In 2006, Dunn was appointed postmaster in Winchester and remained there until October of 2011 when he returned to North Reading.

A typical day for Dunn includes having clerks sort mail for carriers, handling customer issues and introducing himself to merchants and government officials in town.

He is a hands-on type of postmaster and his favorite part of the job is interacting with customers, he said.

Dunn was presented with the Corporate Communications Good News Ben Award in 2009 by Postmaster General John Potter. The award is the highest public relations honor for those who have been the most successful in generating positive publicity for the USPS.

When asked about the recent press regarding the of the on Main Street, Dunn said that he and his staff are not bothered by the news.

“We have a responsibility to do every single day and we do it. We don’t let that outside stuff bother us,” Dunn said. “I would say we know it's there, but have a job at hand to take care of.”

Dunn was born and raised in Stoneham where he lives now with his wife of 19 years Denise and two daughters Kelsey, 17, and Holly, 12. In his spare time he likes to stay active. He works out a lot and spends time with his daughters.

“That’s my priority, my girls and their activities,” he said.