Post offices in Morristown, Morris Township get a reprieve

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By Berit A. Ollestad

Post offices facing closure in downtown Morristown and at Convent Station in Morris Township are not heading to the dead letter office. Not for now, anyway.

Facing loud complaints from the public–including residents in Greater Morristown–the Postal Service earlier this month shelved plans to close up to 3,700 post offices nationwide. Instead, the agency opted to shave costs by reducing hours at 13,000 post offices in mostly rural locations.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who helped lead a petition drive to spare the Morristown Station on the Green, confirmed that the post office is staying put during a recent meeting with senior citizens. The Mayor plans to say more about this at Tuesday’s council meeting.

DODGED A BULLET: The Postal Service has changed its mind about closing the Morristown post office and thousands of other post offices nationwide. Photo by Berit Ollestad
DODGED A BULLET: The Postal Service has changed its mind about closing the Morristown post office and thousands of other post offices nationwide. Photo by Berit Ollestad

In a phone interview, Morris Township Mayor Peter Mancuso confirmed the same outcome for the Convent Station post office.

“I think we’re saved for now,” Mayor Mancuso said.

At public hearings, residents had vehemently protested proposed closures of both facilities.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty introduced senior citizens to Kim, who said she had fallen on hard times. Photo by Berit Ollestad
During a meeting at the Zebu Forno cafe, Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty introduced senior citizens to Kim, who said she had fallen on hard times. Photo by Berit Ollestad

The update was welcomed by seniors, who proved to be a friendly yet tough audience for Mayor Dougherty, who meets monthly with them.

Questions ran the gamut from when will sidewalks be repaired to when will rodents be eradicated in public housing.  The Mayor promised to get back to the seniors with answers to the thorniest questions.

He also shared accolades about Bill Byrne, honored by Gov. Christie for his volunteer work on behalf of people with mental disabilities; and Police Officer Keith Hudson, honored by Police Chief Pete Demnitz for his compassion towards a woman critically injured in a car crash.

There was a bit of theater, too, as the Mayor introduced a 19-year-old named Kim to the coffee klatsch, meeting at Zebu Forno for the first time.

The woman had approached the Mayor on the street requesting a dollar. When asked why, she told him she was homeless, had come from Parsippany to eat at the Community Soup Kitchen, and needed money to buy something to drink.

The Mayor explained to her that if she were willing to accept help, he would facilitate connections to various social services in town.

Did Kim know she was panhandling the Mayor?

“I had no idea, no one has ever done anything this nice for me. He’s awesome!” Kim said afterward, with tears in her eyes.

Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, addressing seniors at Zebu Forno, says the Morristown post office has been spared from closure. . Photo by Berit Ollestad
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, addressing seniors at the Zebu Forno cafe, tells them the Morristown post office has been spared from closure. Photo by Berit Ollestad

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