U.S. Post Office officials are giving the public a chance to be heard regarding the possible closure of post offices in Birchdale and Mizpah.

A meeting to address issues regarding the proposed closure of the post office in Birchdale was conducted Thursday and another regarding the post office in Mizpah is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the community hall in Mizpah. Information from Birchdale’s meeting was not available as of press time.

“The meetings have a two-fold purpose,” said Peter Nowacki, Postal Service spokesman. “First, we explain why we’re looking at closing these offices. Then, we learn how people use the post office and what services are important to them.”

Postal Service officials announced in July that they will be taking the next step in right-sizing their expansive retail network by conducting studies of certain offices to determine customer needs, according to a report.

Nowacki said the financial situation of a particular office is discussed at the meetings as well as alternatives should the office close.

“We look at how do we go about continuing to provide regular and effective service for people who live in these communities,” he said.

Nowacki added that input from the public is very helpful as the Postal Service conducts its studies. There are times when things are overlooked, he noted.

In July, Nowacki told The Journal post offices that fell under a certain threshold were put out for review. Postal headquarters considered an office’s workload, the number of boxes rented, and the proximity of one post office to another, he said.

Nowacki acknowledged that in communities like Mizpah and Birchdale, the nearest post office is many miles away.

“It’s hard to say,” he said of what options people would have should their local post office close. “We would gauge what kinds of service people need and how we can best provide them with that service.”

Loman Post Office

The Post Office in Loman received a proposal to close in May, and according to Nowacki, the 60-day posting period for the potential closure ended in September.

“We are still waiting for the final decision from headquarters,” he said on whether the office would close or remain open.

Nowacki said if Postal Service officials decide to close the Loman Post Office, a notice will be posted and customers have 30 days to appeal to the Postal Regulatory Commission. See box for details.

“In any event, the office cannot close sooner than 60 days after that final determination is announced,” Nowacki explained. “This process is built in so we don’t come in and tell people their office is closing on Thursday and we lock the doors on Friday.”