Greetings Councilors:
Wake up residents of Watertown!!! If you want to accept the words of a developer; maybe I can share some out-of-circulation drachmas.
In reference to the Watertown Square Financial Post Office; I stated in 01/02/2024 communication as follows:
“Phrases such as: “We hope to move back” and “considering relocating and moving-back” are not reassuring. Two plus years is a long time for open-ended uncertainties.”
“Watertown’s Team engaged in the development process for the multiple parcels at 104-126 Main Street. All knowing the ramifications for displacing an existing business service that is central to the visibility of Watertown Square.”
Has the Watertown City Council taken an active role in advocating for the Watertown Square Financial Post Office to be reinstated? Take a moment to review your lack of process.
How many of us recall the 2011-2012 proposed closings of the East Watertown (589 Mount Auburn St.) and New Town (123 Galen St.) Post Offices? How quickly we lose sight of time.
What would be the current day consequences, had the closings become reality? Historically, when a brick-and-mortar location is closed; chances for bringing back the site can face many challenges.
The playbook, set forth by the United States Postal Service (USPS), has not changed. At the heart of the decisions to close post office locations, are, and have been, streamlining and cost-cutting measures to address its systemwide fiscal crisis. Why Watertown?
Watertown’s previous Team, inclusive of Town Manager Michael Driscoll, Steve Magoon, representatives from the USPS and I, (Chair, Council Committee on State Federal and Regional Government) met at Town Hall. Face to face to plead our case for Watertown. No intermediaries required. We engaged in sit down, productive dialogue, that culminated in a positive outcome for Watertown. We were seen; and heard — we tried.
In my opinion: the powers that be are sending mixed messages. On the one hand: return Watertown Square to its place as a destination. On the other hand: leave Watertown Square devoid of its cornerstone, Post Office.
Is anyone listening to the people? Councilors: please assert your positions as elected representative for the citizens of Watertown. Thank you.
LETTER: Finding a Temporary, Permanent Home for Watertown Main Street Post Office Should be a Priority | Watertown News https://share.google/O2Jqp39KA5KrpRJDP
01/02/2024
Greetings:
I extend Happy New Year wishes for good health, peace and prosperity for one and all.
Almost ten years ago; 02/03/2014, to be exact; Charlie Breitrose launched Watertown News. Watertown’s: “independent, locally owned news website” became a reality. Thank you, Charlie, for your many years of unbiased news coverage and open venue for citizen thought provoking interactions. Congratulations – Happy Tenth Anniversary!!!
Only three years prior to Watertown News, two of Watertown’s Post Offices were being evaluated for closure. How many residents recall the 2011-2012 turmoil created by the proposed closing of the East Watertown (589 Mount Auburn St.) and New Town (123 Galen St.) Post Offices by the United States Postal Service (USPS)?
For now, the two locations are still operating. “Long-term financial plans” for funding of the sites by the USPS can be subject to change. Also to note: The 123-125 Galen St. property was recently offered for sale; currently listed as: “off market”.
Without notice to stakeholders; the “Watertown Financial Post Office” (126 Main St.) will be closing on 01/26/2024. Clyde Younger broke the news. Who knew the post office would be closing in four weeks?
Did Watertown’s Team advocate for a permanent/temporary location? Or review the needs of the post office patrons who wait in the long lines for counter service? Is there a confirmed future for a “Watertown Financial Post Office”, to be sited in Watertown Square? Not all post offices are equal in available services for the public. https://tools.usps.com/find-location.htm?location=1434632
Phrases such as: “We hope to move back” and “considering relocating and moving-back” are not reassuring. Two plus years is a long time for open-ended uncertainties.
Watertown’s Team engaged in the development process for the multiple parcels at 104-126 Main Street. All knowing the ramifications for displacing an existing business service that is central to the visibility of Watertown Square.
In my opinion, Watertown’s Team must also initiate and engage in open dialogue to explore all options to maintain Watertown Square post office stability. Enhanced Postal Services are an integral part of providing a presence as a viable destination in the nucleus of Watertown. Thank you.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis, Retired Watertown District A, East End, City Councilor
Here’s what I don’t understand. The permit process for the 104-106 Main Street project took well over a year in the ZBA process. After the permit was granted with significant public discussion about design, height, number of floors and units, project mobilization took at least six more months. At that point everyone knew the post office was closing as the building was being demolished.
I was stunned when the post office closed with no plan to open another branch in Watertown Square. In fact, there was a story in Watertown News where some responded that we have the Galen St and Mount Auburn Street post offices as well as proximity to Belmont, Waltham and Newton.
News Flash: This is not the developers problem. The City of Watertown did not (and probably could not) make opening a new post office part of the long list of permit contingencies. The developer stated they would reach out to the post office but that in no way required them to rent to them. This is now complicated by the fact that the Post Office now apparently doesn’t want to come back due to cost cutting, etc.
It would be very helpful to hear what our City Officials and our elected Congressional Representatives are doing about it? That said, this whole process should have started the day the old post office closed. Again, if Watertown Square is going to be a destination it needs a post office.
There is another side note that many have overlooked. The PO on Main Street was about 18 months(?) in the rears on rent. This was mentioned during the many, many meetings a couple of times. Whether 104-106 Main St. went through or not, there was a high likelihood of the Post Office leaving that space or consolidating locations. And you correctly point to Congressional Representation. I highly doubt that a word from our City Council President would make the Federal Government turn around and say ok. While he runs a tight ship, he does not have jurisdiction in this matter. I do think we need the post office somewhere in the square, but I am skeptical that this is a cost cutting measure. Combing the other two branches into one that resided in the square would definitely be cost cutting. And this dashboard is why I am skeptical https://www.savethepostoffice.com/suspended-post-office-map/. It is a common problem happening far too often across the nation.
Hi Rita,
Your statement baffles me. I was at most, if not all, of the meetings on 104-106 Main Street, and I never heard anyone from O’Connor claim that our post office was in arrears. Could you please identify at least one of these claims, on a meeting video or in meeting minutes?
The Federal government pays after a service is rendered, so they would pay at the end of the month, as opposed to a private citizen, who would pay at the beginning of the month. That is in the agreement that they make with the lessor. Perhaps that is where the confusion comes into play?
Thanks.
Linda Scott, resident
The post office is run by the Post Master General.
See here https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/officers/
Any other avenue of discussion around having a post office in the Sq. I believe is futile.
That said. For a full service post office in a congested area like Watertown Sq. is going to be a tough sell because of the difficulties of access.
I used the Main St location and am sad to see it go but things are different now and I think we have to ask ourselves, where else Near the Sq. can we entice the Post Office leadership to locate?
I suggest it will have to have easy vehicle access, a good size. Probably somewhere on Arsenal St.
Here’s a CRITICAL reason we need an accessible post office in Watertown: it is not safe to mail a check by putting the envelope in a mailbox. Thieves somtimes manage to retrieve checks and change the payee and $$ amounts to steal money from the accounts of those who mailed them. It’s common to see such reports in the Watertown News. Above all else, this is the reason to have a local post office to replace the one that use to be on Main Street.