Hibbs postal customers hear options, offer own
Janet Michulka, feasibility coordinator, and Bill Battles, USPS Western Pennsylvania district office, field questions about the possible closing of the Hibbs Post Office during a public meeting held at the German Township Municipal Building.
Charles Bear questions postal service representatives about the postal service’s future pension obligations and how much actualcost saving would come from the possible closing of the Hibbs post office.
GERMAN TWP. — Customers served by the Hibbs post office expressed concerns and presented some plans of their own at a public hearing on the possible closing of the office.
The Hibbs post office is one of 22 in Fayette County currently being studied by the U.S. Postal Service for possible closing as a cost-saving measure.
Bill Battles, the manager of post office operations in the Pittsburgh region said closing the Hibbs post office is expected to save $713,000 over the next 10 years.
There are currently 154 post office boxes in use at the Hibbs facility. The hearing Tuesday was held in the meeting room of the German Township municipal building, with about 25 chairs set up for residents. A total of 58 people signed the official registry for the meeting.
“We only pay $363 a month rent and that includes utilities and everything,” said Barb Lovis. “I don’t see why we just can’t pay box rent, which is $46 a year.”
Battles said the U.S. Postal Service must provide one free means of delivery, but he would put the suggestion into his report. The free option under consideration for the Hibbs customers is rural delivery out of the New Salem post office.
“Your address would become your 911 address,” Battles said.
Kathleen Butler said rural delivery would mean a box on what for her could be a dangerous slope.
“I have MS (multiple sclerosis). For me to go to the post office, it’s nothing for me to get in and out of my car. It’s level,” Butler said.
Battles said her case would be examined as a hardship case if the area goes to rural delivery. Battles said cluster box delivery is also a possibility in some areas where traditional rural curb-line delivery may be unsafe or impractical for delivery.
Nicole Nixon owns the building housing the Hibbs post office.
“I have a lease through 2015 and you still have to pay it, so why are we here?” Nixon asked.
Janet Michulka, the feasibility study coordinator for the Hibbs post office, said that if the Hibbs post office is closed, the decision most likely would be made in February, with a 30 day appeal period, with that appeal decided within 120 days.
Dave Coder, representing Congressman Mark Critz, D-Johnstown, read a letter from the congressman. In the letter Critz said he has proposed legislation seeking to waive the current obligation to fund the postal pension 75 years into the future, covering future employees who aren’t even born yet. He asked that all closing decisions be postponed until the bill has the chance to make its way through the legislative process.
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