Cranberry Pushes Back Against Post Office Plan for Cluster Mailboxes

Cranberry is pushing back against a plan from the U.S. Postal Office to establish a “cluster mailbox” system at new residential developments in the township.

On April 24, Donald Snyder, manager operations program support for the post office in the western district, sent a letter to the township on efforts to eliminate individual mailboxes and instead implement a centrally–located cluster box unit in Cranberry’s new neighborhoods.

In his letter, Snyder said it’s up to the post office to determine which modes of delivery to new addresses are most efficient and cost effective—and not the new residents.

If the post office decides on central delivery, the developers for the new neighborhood are responsible for purchasing and installing the multiple mailbox units.

"Factors to consider as part of our review include customer convenience, the aesthetics of the area, cost analysis and the economy of the postal operations, Snyder said in his letter. “This ensures that the mode of delivery directed to be put in place is consistent with our national delivery policies."

According to Snyder, some of the advantages of having a centralized, locked multi-mailbox are better protection from theft and vandalism, decreased fuel consumption by letter carriers—and less risk of being bitten by dogs.

Tad Kelly, a Postal Service spokesman for Western Pennsylvania, told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that moving to a centralized delivery sites is inevitable.

“It's cost-effective and safer for our employees,” he said to the Trib. “Mail volume is dropping, and we have to provide universal access at low cost. Something has to give.”

Township officials disagree.

At Thursday’s meeting, Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors agreed to draft a resolution voicing their opposition to the cluster mailbox system.

Manager Jerry Andree said officials are worried how the cluster mailboxes will be incorporated into the neighborhoods and logistics, including traffic backup when residents are trying to collect their mail.

He also worried new phonebooks, newspapers and other packages could pile up at the centralized mail slot.

More importantly, he said emergency responders depend on clearly marked curbside addresses.

“It will slow down emergency responses,” he said.

The Board of Supervisors is expected to vote Monday on a resolution opposing the centralized mail system. About a dozen new neighborhoods currently are in the works for Cranberry.

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