West Enfield needs new post office

It is time the residents of West Enfield take an interest in securing a new post office. I have been actively involved with this project for the last few years and feel you should be aware of the situation. I started my efforts toward this goal in 1987. At that time I circulated a petition by making direct contact with each petitioner (100 people).

The petition stated that our existing building is inaccessible after one car has parked and at a dangerous intersection. The inside is poorly lighted and small. It also stated that the town has three lots that would be excellent and more centrally located.

Since that time, I have received from the United States Postal Division unkept promises. In June 1987, I received a letter from Barbara Ward, manager-postmaster, stating that they were aware of the existing conditions at West Enfield and construction of a new facility should take place in 1989. The yearly cutbacks prevented the building of a post office in 1988 and put us on the 1989 list for construction.

Well, 1989 has come and gone. I have written since then asking why, if they were going to build in 1989, did they lease the existing building for three more years. They responded that they have a 30-day cancellation clause in the lease and also stated that there was a land-purchase problem. I sent them maps of the town-owned property and a letter stating the school’s willingness to give us additional land, if needed. Their response was that there had been additional cutbacks and our project was moved to 1990.

They recently signed a five-year lease with the landlord of the existing building, I understand, by way of the grapevine.

Please call or write to Gov. McKernan, Rep. Snowe, Sen. Pearson, Rep. Hichborn, and Sen. Mitchell, and let them know we have been neglected long enough. I plan on making personal contact with these individuals. Look around — a lot of the surrounding areas have new post offices. We need a new facility if not only to support the growing need of our community. Thank you for your help. James Blanch West Enfield