Congressman Barney Frank
Representing Massachusetts' 4th District

Local Post Offices to Remain Open
November 18, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Barney Frank announced that today he received a letter from the United States Postal Service officially declaring that the post offices in Nonantum, at Boston College, and at Babson College will remain open.

When the US Postal Service announced in July that it was considering closing up to nine local post offices in order to cut costs, there was an outcry from the local community.  Hundreds of residents called Congressman Frank’s office, asking for his help.

Frank and his staff, working with Mayor David Cohen, Representative Peter Koutoujian, and other key local officials, helped mount a campaign to keep the Nonantum facility open.  At a September meeting with postal officials at Newton City Hall, they strongly backed keeping the Nonantum Post Office open, citing its importance to residents, many of whom are senior citizens. 

Speaking at the meeting were Mayor Cohen, Dorothy Reichard, a senior member of Congressman Frank’s staff, Brendan Sullivan of Senator John Kerry’s office, State Representative Peter Koutoujian, and Ward 1 Aldermen Allan Ciccone, Scott Lennon and Carleton Merrill.  All spoke strongly in favor of keeping the Nonantum Post Office open.

Local activism also seemed to have played an important role in the decision.  At the September meeting, over one hundred Nonantum residents, many of them seniors, came to voice their concerns.  Many spoke passionately about the importance of the post office both to residents and to local small businesses.  The meeting was specifically cited in the official letter from the US Postal Service.  [Click here to see the letter]

“I would like to thank the US Postal Service for making the right decision. This is very good news for the community,” said Frank.  “And it shows what people can do when they work together for a good cause.”

“It is clear to me that the post office officials listened to our community’s concerns and responded with a decision that I think will benefit the Postal Service and the City of Newton,” said Newton Mayor David Cohen.