DNk€t: I3666E6 - 26224Item Nbr; 16

Page Nbr:

Date of Posting: 1211212011 Date of Removal: 0211212012

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

INVITATION FOR COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSAL TO CLOSETHE HELVETIA, Wl/ POST OFFICE

AND EXTENDSERVICE BY HIGHWAY CONTRACT ROUTE SERVICE

To the customers of the Helvetia Post Office:

The Postal Service is considering the closure of the Helvetia Post Office for reasons stated in the accompanying proposal.

During the 6Gday posting period from 1211212011 through 0211212012 you are invited to provide written comments. Commentswill be most helptul if they offer specific opinions and information favorable or unfavorable regarding the potential effect of theproposed change on postal services and on the community. Your comments will be carefully considered and will be incorporatedinto the official record, which will be made public if the proposal is finalized.

Copies of the proposal and optional comment forms are available upon request at the Helvetia Post Office and Rock Cave PostOffice . lf you choose to use the optional comment form and need additional space, please attach additional sheets of paper.

Please return the comment form to:

PAUL BRADSHAWPO BOX 59992CHARLESTON, \ ru 25350-9992

For more information, you may call PAUL BRADSHAW at (304) 561-1251 or write to the above address.

Thank you for your assistance.

250D

RICK STILTNERPO BOX 59992cHARLESTON, \ /V 25350-9992

Docket: 136&.86 - 26224Itern Nbr: [EPage NbL

OPtional Comment FormFollowing are colnments I wish to make conceming the proposed discontinuance of the

HELVETIA Post Office.

l. Effect on Your Postal Services. Describe any favorable or unfavorable effects you

believe the proposal would have on the regularity or effectiveness of your postal services.

2. Effect on your Community. Please describe any favorable or unfavorable effects that

you believe the proposal would have on your community'

3. Other Comments. Please provide any other views or information that you believe the

postal Service should consider in deciding whether to adopt the proposal.

Name of Postal Customer Signature of Postal Customer

Mailing Address

City, State, andZIP Code Date

Docket: l$6686 - 26224Item Nbr l7Page Nbr:2

DOCKET NUMBER 1366686 -26224

I. RESPONSIVENESS TO COMMUNITY POSTAL NEEDS

The Postal Service is proposing to close the Helvetia, \ A/ Post Office and provide delivery and retail services by highway contractroute service under the administrative responsibility of the Rock Cave Post Office, located 20.0 miles away.

The office is being studied for possible closing or consolidation due to the following reasons: Due to declining office workload, whichmay indicate that maintaining this facility is nol warranted.

The Post Office facility had severe building deficiencies that included: there are no issues with the facility The Helvetia Post Officeprovides retail service from 800 to 1 200 - 'l 230 to 1 630 Monday through Friday and 1 000 to 1 1 00 on Saturday. Revenue has seen aslight increase over the last several years.The revenue trend is as follows: FY 08 $ 13,993, FY 09 $ 20,822,FY 10 $ 20,261 and FY'1 1 $ 16,920.

On December 21,2011, representatives from the Postal Service will be available at Helvetia Community Building from 6:00 to 7:00PM to answer questions and provide information to customers.

On or aboul December 11,201'1, questionnaires were distributed to customers of the Helvetia Post Ofiice. Questionnaires were alsoavailable over the counter for retail customers at the Helvetia Post Office.

lf .this proposal is implemented, delivery and retail services will be provided by the Rock Cave Post Office, an EAS-15 level oflice.\Mndow service hours at the Rock Cave Post Office are from 700 to 1 130 - 1 200 to 1 530, Monday through Friday, and 700 to 1 1 00on Saturday.

Some advantages of the proposal are:

1. The rural and contract carriers may provide retail services, alleviating the need to go to the post ofiice. Stamps by Ma,l orderforms are provided for customer convenience.

2. Customers opting for carrier service will have 24-hour access to their mail.3. Savings for the Postal Service contribute in the long run to stable postage rates and savings for customers.4. Customers opting for carrier service will not have to pay post office box fees.5. Saves time and energy for cuslomers who drive to the post office to pick up mail.

Some disadvantages of the proposal are:

1. The loss of a retail outlet and a postmaster position in the community. Retail services may be provided by the rural or contractdelivery carrier.

2. Meeting the rural or contract delivery carrier at the box to transact business. However, it is not necessary to be present toconduct most Postal Service transactions.

3. A change in the mailing address. The community name will continue to be used in the new address. A carrier route address willbe assigned.

II. EFFECT ON COMMUNITY

Helvetia is an unincorporated community located in Randolph County. The community is administered politically by RandolphCounty Commission. Police protection is provided by the Randolph County Sheriff. Fire protection is provided by the PickensVolunteer Fire Department. The community is comprised of Helvetia is located high in the mountains of rural West Virginia with anelevation of 2300 fl. Wth our elevation and weather patterns we have a long harsh winter season with the mosl annual snovvfall inthe State. Drastic changes in precipitation and snow accumulation changes within a ten mile radius. Occupations include tourismrelated jobs, teachers, stale and federal employees, medical personnel, gas on oil related jobs, and retirees. Our total servicepopulation is 175 patrons with 30o/o being retired. Because of tourism, business trends are on the rise. Wthin the past year ourcommunity has three new business endeavors. and those who commute to work at nearby communities and may work in localbusinesses.

Businesses and organizations include: Helvetia Public Library, Little Meadow Heallh Clinic, Elkins Chest Clinic, Hutte Restaurant,Bee Keeper lnn, Kultur Haus, Honey Haus, Blue Haus Gift Shop, Down to Earth Clay Works, West Virginia Mountail Trail Runners,A-Tec Land Surveying, Helvetia Shepherds Wool, White's Wood, Dave Whipps Consulting lnc., Surgar Grove Trucking, ScottShocks Trucking, Alpha Heating and Plumbing. , Helvetia Sunshine 4-H Club, Alpen Rose Garden Club, Helvetia ShepherdsAssociation, Beech Mountain Sportmans Club, Farm Womens Club, Farm Mens Club, Helvetia Restoration and DevelopmentAssociation, Mask Museum, Helvetia Hall Association. . Residents may travel to nearby communities for olher supplies and services.

Nonpostal services provided at the Helvetia Post Office will be available at the Rock Cave Post Office. Government forms normallyprovided by the Post Office will also be available at the Rock Cave Post Office or by contacting your local government agency.

This proposed office provides assistance to the senior and handicapped citizens Rock Cave would provide assislance to the seniorand handicapped citizens.

This Helvetia Post Office is not listed as a historic landmark. The community name will be maintained for customer addressing, andthe Zip Code is not expected to change.

Based on the information obtained in the course of this discontinuance study, the Postal Service concludes this proposal will notadversely affect the community and every effort will be made to maintain the identity.

Docket: 1.166686 - 26224Itenr Nbr: l7Page Nbr: 3

III. EFFECT ON EMPLOYEES

There is currently a Postmaster assigned to this unit. The Postmaster may be moved to another facility if possible. Finally there are 1

PMR(s) assigned to this unit. The PMR(s) may be separated from the Postal Service.

IV. ECONOM!C SAVINGS

The Postaf Service estimates a ten year savings oi $ 447,291 with a breakdown as follows:

Building MaintenanceUtilitiesTransportationEAS Craft & LaborContractsRentRelocation One-Time Cost

Total Ten Year Savings

V. OTHER FACTORS

The Postal Service has identified no other factors for consideration.

$0$1$ -20,165$ 613,082$0$ 3,683$ -1,367

$ 447,291

VI. SUMMARY

The Postal Service is proposing to close the Helvetia, \AN Post Office and provide delivery and retail services by highway contractroute service under the administrative responsibility of the Rock Cave Post Office, located 20.0 miles away.

The Postmaster assigned to this unit may be moved to another facility if possible. The 't PMR(S) assigned to this unit may beseparated from the Postal Service. The mail volume has declined. Effective and regular service will continue to be provided byhighway contract route service.

The Helvetia Posl Office provided delivery and retail service to 45 PO Box or general delivery customers and 67 delivery routecustomers.

There will no longer be a retail outlet in the community. However, delivery and retail services may be available from a rural orcontract delivery carrier, which could alleviate the need to travel to a Post Office for service. The Postal Service will save anestimated$ 447,291 over the next ten years. A disadvantage to some may be in meeting lhe rural or contract delivery carrier to transactbusiness. However, it is not necessary to be present to conduct most Postal Service transactions with rural or conlract deliverycarrier.

vil. NoTtcES

A. Support Materials. Copies of all materials upon which this proposal is based are available for public inspection at the HelvetiaPost Office and Rock Cave Post Office during normal office hours.

B. This is a proposal. lt is nol a final determination to close this post office. lf a final determination is made to close this postoffice, after public comments on this proposal are received and taken into account, a notice of that final determination will beposted in this office.

The final determination will contain instructions on how affected customers may appeal that decision to the Postal RegulatoryCommission. Any such appeal must be received by the commission within 30 days of the posting of the final determination.

121',t2t2011

RICK STILTNERManager, Post Oftice Operations

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