As reported in the Oct. 1 edition of the Press, the post office at 206 Still River Road will close for good on the last day of October, due to an unrenewed lease between the Postal Service and property owner Nancy Hazel. According to a U.S. Postal Service spokesman, a new location for residents in the 01467 zip code, Still River Village, has not yet been identified. For the time being, people with boxes at the Still River office will be given boxes at the Harvard office. Last Saturday morning, the Press asked people entering the Still River post office how they felt about the closure.
"It’s part of our history. It’s been in the village for 100-odd years, and on this spot for more than 60 years. This is the only place where they will hand you your mail. But I really don’t think the Postal Service is too interested in keeping this [Still River location]."
Ted Maxant, Willard Lane
"I’m sad. We don’t want to give up the 01467 zip code. Something will be missing. When my kids were growing up, we’d wait in line with a sister in full habit and a soldier in fatigues. Talk about diversity. We never would have gotten to know so many types of people like Sister Margaret Mary. Or a soldier. Every one of our postal workers has been like a friend."
Cary Browse, Still River Road
"We really don’t want a mailbox at the end of Turner Lane because of [Still River Road] traffic. I am also concerned about the left turn into the Harvard post office—it’s a dangerous turn from [Route] 110."
Bob Hughes, Turner Lane
"It’s so depressing; this is our anchor, our little village within the town. People just come in and shoot the breeze. I feel like we are losing part of the history of New England. … I will miss it terribly. The sisters are heartbroken."
Sister Margaret Mary of the Sisters of St. Benedict Center, Still River Road
"My wife uses [this post office] a lot, but this is the first time I’ve been here. I grew up in rural Arkansas and the post office was a meeting place, so I can understand what it means to people to lose it."
Kevin Riley, Candleberry Lane
""Change, right? I’ve been coming here for 12 years, and it’s a lot like the [post office] I grew up with in Fairfield, Connecticut. I suppose I’ll get a mailbox [for home delivery]. It has been a terrible year."
Birgitta Dickerson, Still River Road
A sign in front of the Still River post office expresses the sentiments of residents. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
