KENNEDY - As part of restructuring to cut costs, the U.S. Postal Service has decided to cut the number of weekday service hours to six at the Kennedy Post Office.
Gene Oyer, acting post office operations manager for area 147/148, met with area residents recently to discuss the results of a survey that had been sent to some residents served by the Kennedy post office and to discuss their concerns. Oyer told the residents who attended the meeting that 951 surveys had been mailed out, but only 262 had been returned by the deadline. Of those returned, 89 percent had preferred cutting hours. When the POST Plan for realignment is completed, currents plans are to have the postmaster from Randolph be responsible for Kennedy.
Oyer said the postal service is not tax supported. It receives money from sales of stamps and other services. He said revenues have been declining in recent years, making it necessary to reduce costs. In Kennedy, revenues for 2010 totaled $65,000. For 2011, revenues were down to $61,000. As of the meeting, revenues for 2012 had been $53,000. Oyer said a lot of past revenue can't be replaced.
Residents asked if cutting hours would affect rural route delivery. Oyer said there are no plans to change delivery routes. The only changes planned are fewer weekday window hours. One person expressed concern the earlier closing time could be difficult for a family business.
The new hours for weekday window service have tentatively been set for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday window service would remain 10 a.m. to noon.
The final decision will be posted at the facility. It is expected to take effect in late January or early February.