1/9/14 - In order for customers to receive mail, local carriers must first be able to get to the mailbox and do so safely. Whenever streets and walkways present hazardous conditions for local carriers or if snow is blocking mailboxes, delivery service can be delayed or curtailed. Don Sredvinski is the Manager of Delivery and Supervisor of Customer Service at the Howell Post Office. He says although the snow storms have passed, the clean-up continues and postal carriers have been making every attempt to deliver mail but in order for them to do their job, customers need to do their part too. He says theyâve already had some carriers sustain injuries and broken bones while trying to deliver the mail so keeping mailboxes and approaches clear of snow and ice will only help to ensure everyoneâs safety. In rural areas, the general rule of thumb is that if your vehicle can pull up to the mailbox to put mail in and out, then the carrier will be able to as well. The Howell Post Office has also been fielding calls from customers requesting that their mail be put on hold because their mailboxes havenât been cleared but Sredvinski says they simply donât have the room or facilities to warehouse that much mail. He says the average route has 600 deliveries so if only half of those mailboxes have been cleared, carriers already must bring all of that mail back. He says any holds will just prolong service and lead to longer lines. (JM)
↧