Corte Madera seeks answers on post office fate

Corte Madera officials are monitoring potential changes to the town’s post office, despite assurances it will remain open as is for the time being.

The post office at 7 Pixley Ave. has counter service and mail boxes in the front, and sorting and distribution operations in the back. The noise created by the back-of-the-house processing has been an ongoing gripe for residents, though inquiries about modifying the site have prompted concerns it could close completely, said Town Manager Adam Wolff.

“It’s really a critical facility for our community to take care of their needs,” Wolff said. “P.O. boxes are important for people who don’t have postal services. It is a very busy and active facility well used and well utilized by customers. Certainly this time of year provides a much-needed service.”

Wolff, in a letter to residents, said the options ahead for the site include a bifurcated model, with back-of-the-house services moved elsewhere; a full closure; or a move of retail services to a different site in Corte Madera. But what might happen at the site remains to be seen.

Wolff added that slow communication from the postal service has deepened concerns that a closure could be announced without giving the community ample time to contest the decision. Wolff said the noise concerns date back at least two decades. He said the noise has grown more severe in recent years because of late-night deliveries for sorting at the site.

The postal service has no plans to modify the operations at the site at this time, said Kristina Uppal, a spokesperson for the agency.

“We are currently reviewing options for a retail replacement facility, however, at this time there is no timeline or final decisions determined on that facility,” Uppal said. “The U.S. Postal Service will continue to operate a post office with full P.O. box and retail services in Corte Madera.”

Wolff said he confirmed the agency has no plans to close the site through a discussion with the district director.

“I’m certainly happy to have them dispel rumors that are circulating in our community that have generated some concern and speculation about the town potentially losing its post office,” he said. “But I am looking forward to them communicating directly with our community about future plans moving forward in a timely manner. I think we’re looking for more direct and timely communication from the postal service on future plans.”

Town officials have also sought out support from Rep. Jared Huffman, who sent a letter to Postmaster Louis DeJoy on Nov. 13 to request better communication from the postal service about its plans.

“I understand that in response to neighborhood concerns about noise and hours of operations, the USPS has approved consideration of separating the retail and distribution functions of the Corte Madera Post Office,” Huffman wrote. “While I am told that this bifurcated approach has already been approved, neither a distribution location nor a new retail location has been identified or secured by USPS to date.”