By Erin Thompson
SNYDERTOWN — Mayor Henrietta Yarnell visits her borough’s post office almost every day, a ritual that will come to an end in this municipality of 300 people at the end of the month.
The post office is closing April 1, a move that will force residents to drive to Sunbury, nine miles away, for the nearest postal facility.
The contractor who operates the Snydertown post office has decided to suspend services as of March 31, postal officials said.
Contacted Monday, Cathryn Henning, who operates the office out of a Snydertown home, declined to say why she is terminating her contract.
Customers who receive mail from the office have the option to request rural delivery or pick up their mail at the Sunbury office.
“I think most of them are going to put up rural boxes,” said Charles Shultz, Sunbury postmaster. “Quite a few of them have already done that.”
According to Shultz, the Snydertown post office does not bring in much revenue. He said it serves about 30 families and handles about 200 letters and magazines a day.
On an average day, Shultz said the Sunbury office will take in more than 167,000 pieces of pre-sorted mail alone, and an average carrier would deliver 2,400 pieces of mail on a route.
Yarnell said she is opposed to the loss of the post office, but she was circumspect.
“I’m very spoiled. Now, when will we get our mail, 10, 10:30?” she asked. “We have to move on.”
