Mail Drop: Residents React to Proposed USPS Changes

"Oh, I love my Saturday mail," says Ruth Gold. "And I love my mailman, too." Gold stands in front of the South Orange post office as she speaks, a sheaf of letters in her hands.  Gold is paying bills by mail, sending two birthday cards and a note to a grandson at camp, and renewing a magazine subscription.

On Monday, July 12, hearings began on a proposed change from six to five-day day United States Postal Service mail delivery. The Postal Regulatory Commission hearings will consider a number of changes, besides eliminating Sat. deliveries, proposals include shrinking the work force through attrition and the possibility of raising mail prices above the inflation rate. A Friday story looked at the proposal's impact on local businesses. Residential customers react today.

In contrast to Gold, who describes herself as a "youthful senior," Julia Stein can't imagine that she'd miss the Saturday mail. A mother of young children, Stein explains: "When the mail comes, I pile it up and tackle it once a week, anyway," she says. "One day more or less doesn't really matter. I pay bills online and use E-vite for birthdays."  She gestures at her toddler. "I wouldn't even be at this post office except I need to return something I ordered for her that's too small."

An even younger customer, high school senior Carli Rosen, reports that she rarely uses the United States Postal Service at all. "I guess I'll have to get to know it," she says. "Some colleges still want you to mail stuff, especially if it's any sort of portfolio."

While anecdotal, Patch's findings reflect a broader generational shift away from using traditional paper mail to conduct personal business or social correspondence. Several locals Patch questioned couldn't remember the last time they sent mail. "I probably don't have an envelope at my house," said Joe, who lives in South Orange. "I know that the last time I bought stamps it was from my bank machine."  A lawyer, Joe noted that his office relies heavily on mail services, include certified letters, but he has "streamlined" his own use of the mail, paying bills online and keeping in touch via email and social media.

Saturday mail delivery has been threatened before, notably in 2001. However, the past decade has seen a growth in online options. In addition, the USPS has proposed a two-cent increase in the price of a stamp, from 44 to 46 cents, starting in Jan. Additional proposed price increases average about five percent, and cover first class, advertising mail, periodicals, packages and other services.

The Postal Rate Commission has 90 days to respond to the proposed price change. If approved, the increase would take effect Jan. 2.

At the same time, curtailing Sat. delivery could save save the Postal Service $3.3 billion in the first year and $5.1 billion a year by 2020, according to CBS News. Savings are expected from lower staff and transportation costs.

As it stands, the plan would not change post office schedules. The South Orange post office is and would remain open Sat. mornings for counter service and postal box delivery. What may change is at home, where the mail box will remain empty over the weekend.