Some Heights Post Office boxes closed

A number of customers have had their Postal boxes closed at the Shelter Heights Post Office. Some closures are for businesses, which resulted in critical issues for owners; others are long-time box holders who are experiencing their own inconveniences.

Councilwoman Liz Hanley revealed the problem at Tuesday’s Town Board work session saying she has tried to get a response from Post Office officials to her inquiries.

Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams was able to unravel the mystery. The Heights Post Office was audited by the District handling its operations and, at the conclusion of the audit, determined many Post Office boxes had not been renewed, and instructions to the local employees were to close down those boxes, Ms. Brach-Williams said.

The supervisor said she was able to get the information she had from the local postmaster, but has yet to be able to reach the district manager. If unable to do that, her plan is to reach out to Congressman Nick LaLota (Amityville-R), she said.

There was some speculation among Board members about whether there might be a similar audit at the Shelter Island Center Post Office that could result in the same situation. The Reporter’s attempts to reach either District or local postmasters resulted in call after call being answered by automated systems that rapidly cut off calls.

Apparently, anyone who may not have seen a notice from local Post Office staff about their intent to renew their Post Office box had it closed following the district order.

A user reported that if a box is closed, any contents had to be held for 30 days before being returned to senders. Local residents are granted one free box while having to pay a fee for any additional boxes that might be needed.