The River Reporter
Thursday, January 23, 1986, p. 14.

Damascus USPS facility

By TOM RUE

DAMASCUS - The Postal Service (USPS) is seeking alternate quarters for its Damascus facility, according to a letter from Martine E. Rhea of USPS's Real Estate & Buildings Office in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Rhea's letter was read at Monday night's meeting of the Damascus Township supervisors by township secretary Charles Rutledge.

USPS requires 1682 square feet of office space for its new facility, Rhea's letter said, but did not explain why. The letter went on to request that the township provide information regarding conflicts "with any local requirements or ordinances; flood hazard or wetplain areas; redevelopment; historical districts and identified hazard waste disposal areas."

Rutledge reported that he had reported to Rhea's letter with the suggestion that if the federal government plans to open such a large facility in Damascus, that it consider closing the existing post offices in Milanville, Beach Lake, Tyler Hill, and Cochecton, New York. All four of these stations, said Rutledge, are situated within a ten-mile radius of Damascus.

"When you've got four within gunshot of each other, what the hell do you need a big one like this for?" Rutledge wondered. "That's what mystifies us."

The supervisors expressed dismay at the size of the proposed postal facility, compared to the square footage of the existing and surrounding post offices.