The meeting began with everyone introducing themselves.
Mr. Ferebee thanked the Representatives for coming saying that he has some questions he would like answered which have come from his constituents in relation to the current Postal situation. He said his biggest concern was the problems anticipated with the congestion once the summer traffic comes.

Dennis Loan began by explaining that the Postal Service is conducting a study. He said that funds were requested for a postal site in Keene Valley and was turned down.

When asked what services could be expected, Margaret Pepe answered “free mail delivery”. When asked about rural delivery mail boxes, she said requests would be favorable for those in the line of travel.

Mr. Biesemeyer asked if the zip code of 12943 would be kept, he was told yes, and so would the Keene Valley addresses.
He asked if the Post Office has any intention of setting back up shop in Keene Valley again.
Mr. Loan said that was part of the study being done, again saying that funds had been requested and denied.

Mr. Martin said that this situation is taking focus away from Keene Valley saying that he feels it will result in consolidation of service. He said that the location in Keene is unacceptable for the summer traffic problems and said he felt losing the Keene Valley Post Office would result in an identity loss for Keene Valley.

Ms. Pepe said questions can't be answered immediately, she said the Postal Service is collecting data and will have a Community Meeting in the near future. She said this meeting today is not for decisions, it is for collecting information.

Ms. Neville said that some years ago, the Community Trust was informed by the Postal Service that there is a moratorium on closing Post Offices, she asked if that was still a fact.
Mr. Loan said this situation is out of the ordinary saying it is the result of an eviction.

Ms. Neville read a statement she had prepared. She asked the Representatives what size building was needed for a post office and what would they look for in rehabilitation.

Mr. Ferebee asked if it was possible to get a drop box in Keene Valley for mailing letters and some cluster boxes, possibly in the municipal parking lot, for receiving mail.

Ms. Pepe talked about the possibility of finding someone in a retail business who is willing to set up a Contract Station, possibly with cluster boxes. She said the Postal Service have some that work very well.
Ms. Neville said that would not be her first choice expressing concerns with traffic and long lines.

Mr. Martin expressed his concern saying he would not want to see Keene Valley get a new Post Office and then have Keene close. He said maybe a new facility could be worked out between the two Hamlets.

Mr. Biesemeyer stated that he didn't think there was a criterion at this time for closing the Keene Office.
Ms. Pepe and Mr. Loan seemed to agree.

Mr. Biesemeyer asked if there was a time frame before this effort would be exhausted.
Mr. Loan said there is not a time frame and said there will be a Community Meeting soon.

Ms. Pepe talked more about the location of a contract station in a local business saying there are a lot of specifications in the process.

Mr. Biesemeyer asked what funding is out there.
Mr. Loan said there is no funding available for a Post Office.
Mr. Crownan talked about how an individual contract station works standing alone, as in a strip mal, for example. He said this type of unit is based on revenue.

Mr. Martin said he can think of 3 possible places in Keene Valley where new a Post Office could be built.

Ms. Neville asked if the contract station option was used, is the contract for multiple years. She was answered “no”. A discussion followed regarding the contract.

Mr. Martin said with Christmas coming, that would be a test for the Keene Post Office. He again expressed his concern over the traffic next summer when it quadruples.

Ms. Neville asked what was going to happen with the existing boxes in Keene Valley, saying that families had had the same boxes for years and she was concerned what would happen with them.
Ms. Pepe said they might go to a museum.
Mr. Martin said he would like to see them in the Town archives saying they have a special history here in Town.

Mr. Ferebee again pursued his question as to the possibility of having a drop box placed in Keene Valley.
Mr. Loan talked about how an unofficial collection point works.

Mr. Martin asked if there was a possibility of opening more delivery routes.
Mr. Loan said it depends on the roads saying they would have to be looked at.
Mr. Loan and Ms. Pepe agreed that safety concerns play a large part.
Mr. Ferebee asked if someone would be available to do a ride thru with him.
Ann Burton said there have been 28 new boxes opened since this began.

Ms. Neville asked if the hours could be extended in the Keene Post Office.
Mr. Crownan said they have already started staying open during lunch.

Ms. Neville asked how soon the public meeting would be.
Ms. Pepe said it could be scheduled following this meeting today and done before the traffic increases.

Mr. Ferebee said it sounded to him like a contract unit may be fastest to set up.
He turned over a copy of a petition signed by 178 residents.

Henrietta Jordan explained that 178 people had signed that petition in the last 24 hours saying that people in Keene Valley are very, very upset with this situation.

Ms. Pepe asked what location would be used for the Community Meeting.
Those present from the Board said Keene Central School or the Keene Valley Fire Station. What time was best to hold the meeting was briefly discussed.
Ms. Jordan asked what the time frame for holding the meeting was.
Ms. Pepe and Mr. Loan said two weeks from now.

Jerry Bunn said he thought the local people should show support for the postal employees in the Keene Office who are doing their best to work with a hard situation.
Ms. Pepe said they appreciate the hard work knowing the conditions these employees are working under.

Mr. Ferebee thanked the Representatives for coming and said they would continue to keep the communication going.

Ms. Pepe asked Ms. Neville what location would be used as a display area for the boxes removed from the old Keene Valley Office if allowed.
Ms. Neville and Mr. Ferebee both said the Holt House.

With no further comments or questions the meeting was adjourned.

Ellen S. Estes, Town Clerk
Town of Keene

William B. Ferebee, Supervisor
Paul R. Martin, Councilperson
Robert M. Biesemeyer, Councilperson
Marcy A. Neville, Councilperson
Lawrence Jaques, Councilperson