The Town Crier

Selecting A Site

Newington is to have a new post office. This is good news because the present structure is inadequate, lacking both space for the postmen, and parking facilities as well.

However, the manner chosen as to where it will go seems rather strange. Without too much digging, it is doubtful if many communities are left to the whim of the builder regarding where a Post Office will be located.

Obviously, in bidding for the construction job, the cost of the site must play a role. Locations nearer the business section will be more expensive than those in outlying sections.

Therefore, it is highly likely a builder will consider a plot of land that can be bought as cheaply as possible. This will enhance his profit and provide a greater buffer in the bidding.

This leaves the town in the middle, however. The people must use the post office. No matter where it is, it will be sought out by persons mailing packages and letters. To make residents travel to an unlikely spot seems somewhat out of the public interest.

If it is away from the bus lines, then those without an automobile will have difficulty reaching it. This might raise problems, especially for older persons.

It would seem that the best place to locate the new structure is somewhere in the Market Square area. It should be within walking distance of Main Street, Cedar Street and Market Square. The town should insist that this be one of the provisions in the bidding.

The federal government would more than likely want the building in a location where it will serve the people quickly and easily. It might very well list in its specifications that the location be within a certain area.

We certainly would not want to discriminate in the selection of a site. Free competition must be allowed to exist, for economy in construction as well as in all fairness.

However, the people using it should also be recognized. There are numerous locations in the downtown area that could be utilized. Bidders might well work with the property owners on this subject.

This time the post office should be built not only to handle present needs, but the projection of future population growth. The present post office was too small when it was opened. The town must see that this does not happen again.

A suggestion has been made by the local businessman that the town hall be used for a post office and a new location found for the town hall. It is doubtful that the building is suitable for a post office—but the land would be a highly desirable location.

The town would then realize revenue from the sale of the land. The building, more than likely would have to be torn down. This might be costly, however, it's unlikely that the town could ever get rid of the present town hall any other way.

At least this possibility is worth exploring before action is taken on the post office.