Home mail delivery considered for Sisters

The necessity for daily trips to the Sisters post office may soon be eliminated.

United States Post Office Senior Clerk Shanna Sproat told the city council Thursday night, May 11, that all 1,860 Sisters branch post office boxes are taken, leaving newly arrived residents with a minimum wait of several months for a mail box.

Sproat says the consequent heavy use of general delivery has inundated the post office and "creates havoc, especially for some business customers."

Councilors are considering the possible solution of home delivery

Mayor Steve Wilson noted that, especially in the summer, residents having to cross Cascade Avenue face dangerous uncontrolled traffic.

"For many of them, it's a twice-a-day situation: in the morning for pick-up; and then in the afternoon for mailing," Wilson said.

Other councilors noted the impact of 500 resident vehicles traveling to the post office upon daily traffic congestion -- and the certainty of the situation worsening due to significant growth.

Councilor Tim Clasen, reacting to information that the 440 homes in Tollgate subdivision had already used up all their boxes, suggested that the council mandate that developers provide enough receptacles to serve all homes.

The councilors also expressed concern for the safety and convenience of senior citizens, who, they noted, are more vulnerable not only during the high traffic summer season but also during winter days when footing may be hazardous.

The process to bring home mail delivery to Sisters must begin with the council petitioning the US Management of Postal Operations. According to Sproat, that agency alone would make the final decision after considering facts submitted by the local post office. Post office budget, personnel, and other data are evaluated in the decision, according to Sproat.

The council agreed unanimously to direct staff to prepare the petition.