Patrons of the Wicomico Post Office found out some good news last Thursday afternoon that their post office, which was under consideration for closure by the U.S. Postal Service, will be staying open though with reduced operating hours. The public meeting at the Wicomico Post Office was well attended despite chilly conditions. Photo courtesy D.L. Justis

Mathews resident Hart Hudgins, right, talks with U.S. Post Office representatives, from left, Robert Gardner and Kimberly Allen about some of the problems rural residents have with postal services during a meeting on postal changes at Foster Post Office on Friday. Photo by Sherry Hamilton

Meetings were held last Thursday at Wicomico Post Office, at Moon, Hudgins and Foster post offices in Mathews on Friday and on Gwynn’s Island at the Gwynn and Grimstead post offices on Tuesday.

Michele Martel, district communications coordinator for the USPS, said that so far, decisions have been released for the Wicomico and Hudgins post offices only. Those two post offices, she said, will operate as six-hour offices. "But for operational reasons, we do not yet have a date of implementation," Martel said.

A decision regarding the Moon and Foster post offices was expected on Wednesday, but was not released by press time.

However, at the meeting at the Foster Post Office on Friday, postal representatives Kimberly Allen and Robert Gardner told the half dozen or so residents gathered that their post office will remain open, with realigned hours beginning Jan. 26. Hours will be 12:15 to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Access to post office boxes will remain the same, they said.

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