November 10, 1997

Dear Postal Customer:

As the postal manager responsible for all post offices in your area, I would like your opinion concerning a possible change in how your postal services are provided. The recommended change is tentative and will not lead to a formal proposal unless we conclude that it will provide a maximum degree of regular and effective service.

The Cliff Island Post Office is located in the postmaster's home. The postmaster will retire on May 1, 1998, and the Postal Service has been asked to vacate the quarters concurrent with her retirement. No suitable alternate quarters are available.

Briefly, we would like to provide service to you by establishing a community post office (CPO) located within your community, administered by the Portland Post Office. The CPO will provide the same services as an independent post office, except permit mailings and postage meter setting. The Postal Service will solicit offers from the public for operation of the facility. Award of the contract is based on evaluation of criteria including the annual monetary amount, contractor ability and background, and the quality and location of the facility. The successful offeror must be bonded and will be trained, administered and supervised by the Postal Service. Generally, a member of the community is awarded the contract, which may add to the financial base of the community. With a CPO, post office boxes will continue to be free. Many communities such as yours are very satisfied with this type of postal service.

Under this arrangement, a community continues to use its name and ZIP Code and it will continue to appear in Publication 65, National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory. Your address will not be changed.

I invite you to think about a possible change to a community post office. Please return the enclosed questionnaire by November 28, 1997, using the preaddressed envelope provided. Please be aware that, if we formalize a proposal, your questionnaire will become part of an official record and will be available for public viewing.

You may, of course, want to discuss this form of service with us before drawing any conclusions. Postal representatives will be at the Cliff Island Association Hall, on Sunday, December 7, 1997, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., to answer questions and provide information about our service. You may wish to discuss and submit your questionnaire at that time or later. The enclosure entitled "U.S. Postal Service Summary of Post Office Change Regulations" describes what is involved in making a formal proposal if a permanent change in postal service appears warranted.

If you have any questions, you may call Beecher Doody, Post Office Review Coordinator, whose telephone number is 207-941-2099.

Thank you for your assistance.

Peter Desjardins
Manager, Post Office Operations
380 Riverside Street
Portland, ME 04103-7001

Enclosures:

• Questionnaire and return envelope (52k PDF)
• Summary Of Post Office Change Regulations (7k PDF)