Public Advocate Finds Fault With Lafayette Post Office Closure

The U.S. Postal Service’s decision to close the Freehold Borough post office was seriously flawed, according to a report issued by a federal public representative assigned to review the case.

Freehold Borough, Freehold Township and the Freehold Center Management Corp., the area’s business partnership, filed petitions to appeal the July 29 closure of the postal trailer operating on Lafayette Street. A federal public advocate for the Postal Regulatory Commission reviews the arguments presented by petitioners and the U.S. Postal Service as part of the appeals process.

The 14-page report by Richard A. Oliver, public representative with the Postal Regulatory Commission, was issued Wednesday, Aug. 31. Oliver faulted the U.S. Postal Service for not addressing concerns that the closure would result in inadequate service for seniors, low-income residents, businesses and government entities in Freehold Borough.

“While the Postal Service Comments do technically ‘address’ the customers [sic] concerns, in the sense that they acknowledge their existence, they fail to provide any discussion that would evidence genuine consideration of the customers’ concerns,” Oliver’s report stated.

The report also found the Lafayette Street facility operated at a profit, generating revenues of $660,794 in 2009 and $660,928 in 2010.

“This was not a facility that was losing money. But for the fact that the trailer was in substantial condition, this was a viable postal facility,” the report stated.

Freeholder Lillian Burry said she and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-Monmouth) spoke with Congressman Chris Smith (R-Monmouth) about pursuing reinstating a postal facility in Freehold Borough

“It would not be in the trailer, which has already been removed, but perhaps leasing one of the buildings on Main Street,” Burry said during the Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting on Thursday.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Casagrande said the postal service’s reasoning for closing the Freehold Borough facility did not stand up to scrutiny.

“Freehold Borough is a pedestrian community and the county seat of Monmouth County. This facility is vital to many businesses and people who cannot easily reach the Freehold Township Post Office, which is inaccessible to pedestrians,” Casagrande said in the release.