CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN DEMANDS POSTMASTER GENERAL DEJOY REOPEN WESTBROOKVILLE POST OFFICE

Congressman Pat Ryan Demands Postmaster General DeJoy Reopen Westbrookville Post Office

WESTBROOKVILLE, NY –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding that the United States Postal Service (USPS) immediately reopen the Westbrookville Post Office. The Westbrookville Post Office was closed with just a 24 hour warning, directly breaking USPS regulations, which require notice of at least 60 days. The community already did not have mail delivery services, which makes the closure even more devastating. 

“I’ve spoken with seniors struggling to access medications and families forced to travel to other towns to receive their packages due to the sudden closure of the Westbrookville Post Office, which already didn’t have mail delivery. I am calling on Postmaster General DeJoy to immediately reopen the post office and fully restore all services,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “The closure of this community institution is hurting residents of both Sullivan and Orange counties – I will keep fighting until everyone impacted once again has reliable and accessible mail services.”

“I will be 80 years old next year. This is truly a hardship for the elderly and disabled,” said Judy Monaco, Westbrookville resident. “Presently, I am not receiving my mail on a timely basis. The bills are coming after their due dates and some of my neighbors are having their packages returned to the sender – I don’t think people realize elderly people now receive their prescriptions from their doctors through the mail. We’ve tried everything to no avail – we are unable to get answers without Postmaster DeJoy’s help.”

A copy of Ryan’s letter to Postmaster General DeJoy appears below:

Dear Postmaster DeJoy, 

I write today to request that you immediately reopen the Contract Postal Unit in Westbrookville, New York, by reviewing any applications and working diligently to restore services. This issue is of great concern to my constituents in Orange County, New York, who deserve to enjoy the reliable and accessible services of the United States Postal Service (USPS). 

On June 28, 2023, USPS notified residents that the Westbrookville Post Office would be closing the following day. Immediately following this announcement, the Post Office closed and all P.O. boxes were moved to Otisville, New York. This abrupt shift has negatively impacted the surrounding community of Westbrookville. Many of our seniors rely on the Post Office to receive medications, and without discussion or advanced notice, their boxes were gone. Further, before a Post Office closes, the Postal Service must provide adequate notice which is defined as at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of closing, so that residents are able to make other arrangements. This did not happen which has led to confusion and community uproar. 

My constituents in Orange County have gathered for a series of community meetings where they have expressed frustration at the sudden closure and lack of communication about the future of the Post Office. Importantly, the Westbrookville location is a Contract Postal Unit (CPU) which allows for a competitive contract application process. As such, I ask that you review all applications for the CPU expeditiously so that my constituents in Orange County and everyone living in the region can continue to rely on the services of USPS. 

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to working together to reopen a Post Office in this community as soon as possible.

Sincerely, 

###