PHIPPSBURG – A hearing on a proposal from the U.S. Postal Service to close the Sebasco Estates Post Office will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Phippsburg Elementary School.
The village post office, which has operated for more than 70 years, serves a variety of residential and commercial customers from the Sebasco Harbor Resort, Rock Garden Inn, Ledges Restaurant and Sebasco Wharf to Purse Line Bait, North Creek Farm and Casco Bay Boatworks.
According to the Postal Service, revenues generated by the Sebasco Estates post office have steadily declined from $23,729 in 2008 to $18,774 in 2011. The Postal Service estimates closing the post office could save more than $500,000 over the next 10 years.
Under the Postal Service proposal, area residents would be served by a rural route carrier. Delivery and retail services still would be offered by Phippsburg’s main post office on Route 209, about eight miles from Sebasco.
But many residents and town selectmen remain opposed to any such closure. Last week, selectmen sent a letter of opposition to postal officials.
“In spite of agreeing that many people have changed to technology for much of their bill paying and correspondence, consideration must be given to the many that do not have that ability,” the selectmen said. “The option of traveling to another post office for money orders and services does no good for those who do not drive, nor for those who are without helpers. In clear actuality, many in this rural town depend solely upon the Sebasco Estates Post Office.”
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted ats 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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