Calpine PO End is Near
Calpine PO: Not Looking Good
A notice was placed on the bulletin board at the Calpine Post Office which bears the information regarding the fate of the people and services there.
The text of that is repeated below, thanks to a local M.F.
We can understand that money is an issue. How much will it save to close the PO?
The proposed alternate delivery service will meet the mailing and
service needs of the community in a more cost effective manner.
The Postal Service estimates an annual savings of $55,908 with a breakdown as follows:
Postmaster Salary (EAS-11, No COLA)
Fringe Benefits @ 33.5%
Annual Lease Costs
$32,890
$11,018
+ $12000
Total Annual Costs
Less Annual Cost of Replacement Service
$55,908
Total Annual Savings $55 908
Fifty grand is a lot of money, but the response doesn’t include the cost of providing the services they propose. Besides all the Postal System is doing is pushing the costs on to us. We’ll have to rent a box in Sierraville or try to maintain a letter box on the road. Our cost. Finally, as with any business, a reduction in service or convenience means a reduction in business. We’ll buy our stamps at Costco now, and have Fed Ex deliver our packages, it’s easier to track them on line with Fed Ex anyway.
There is much about the response to raise a citizen’s bile.
: The customer expressed a concern about a change in address.
Customers will be assigned a 911 address. The new address will
continue to use the community name and ZIP Code. Mail will be
forwarded in accordance with postal regulations, and change of
address forms are available from the Postal Service to assist
customers in notifying correspondents of the change.
Some of us had boxes at the Post Office because we didn’t want a “911 address”, we don’t want every jerk with our address to find our house. We have that right to privacy, which the PO is taking away, except that we can rent a box in Sierraville or Clio. It’s an inadequate solution.
Then, there the issue of security:
The customer expressed a concern about the security of mail.
Customers may place a lock on their mailboxes. The mailbox must
have a slot large enough to accommodate the customer's normal daily
mail volume. The Postal Service does not open mailboxes which are
locked and does not accept keys for this purpose.
Again, if we want security, we’ll now have to figure out how to get it for ourselves.
Finally, the intangible value of the PO as a gathering place is addressed:
Customers were concerned about the loss of a gathering place and
an information center.
Response: Residents may continue to meet informally, socialize, and share
information at the other businesses, churches and residences in town.
Other business and churches in town? Other than the PO, the SVL is the business at which people might meet, but it won’t take the place of the PO. It’s nice, maybe, to have Postal Service permission to visit friends.
It’s pretty clear we’ll have to get used to not having the “Sattley” post office in Calpine. We don’t have to like it, though.
Here’s the information as we have it:
Date of Posting: I ' /29/2011
Date of Removal: 08/30/2011
Removal Round Date:
PROPOSAL TO CLOSE
THE SATTLEY, CA POST OFFICE
AND EXTEND SERVICE BY HIGHWAY CONTRACT ROUTE SERVICE
DOCKET NUMBER 1380842 - 96124
Item Nbr: 33
Page Nbr: 2
I. RESPONSIVENESS TO COMMUNITY POSTAL NEEDS
The Postal Service is proposing to close the Sattley, CA Post Office and provide delivery and retail services by highway contract
route service under the administrative responsibility of the Sierraville Post Office, located 13 miles away.
The postmaster position became vacant when the postmaster retired on July 01, 2009. Since the postmaster vacancy an OIC has
been installed to operate the office. Postmaster level and office service hours are determined by a workload analysis which
includes the number of deliveries and revenue.
The office is being studied for possible closing or consolidation due to the following reasons: Decline in mail volume. We will
continue to provide effective service through the Sierraville Main Post Office.
The Sattley Post Office, an EAS-11 level, provides service from 08:30 - 11:30 - 12:00 - 17:00 Monday - Friday, Closed Saturday
and lobby hours of 24/7 on Monday - Friday and 24/7 on Saturday to 165 post office box or general delivery customers and 18
delivery customers. Retail services included the sale of stamps, stamped paper, and money orders; special services such as
Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Insured Mail, COD Mail, and Express Mail services; and the acceptance and dispatch of all classes
of mail.
The retail window averaged 26 transaction(s) accounting for 32 minute(s) of retail workload daily. With minimal workload, the
Postal Service feels that effective and regular service will be provided by highway contract route service. Office receipts for the last
3 years were: $21,187 ( 55 revenue units) in FY 2008; $23,233 (61 revenue units) in FY 2009; and $22,097 ( 58 revenue units) in
FY 2010. There were one permit mailer(s) or postage meter customer(s).
On May 05, 2011, representatives from the Postal Service were available at the Sattely Post Office to answer questions and
provide information to customers. 72 customer(s) attended the meeting.
On April 18, 2011, 183 questionnaires were distributed to delivery customers of the Sattley Post Office. Questionnaires were also
available over the counter for retail customers at the Sattley Post Office. 43 questionnaires were returned. Responses regarding
the proposed alternate service were as follows: 2 favorable, 25 unfavorable, and 16 expressed no opinion.
A petition supporting the retention of the Sattley Post Office was received on June 24, 2011, with 59 signatures. If this proposal is
implemented, delivery and retail services will be provided by the Sierraville Post Office, an EAS-11 level office. Window service
hours at the Sierraville Post Office are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:30 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday.
There are 182 post office boxes available.
Retail service is also available at the Clio Post Office an EAS-13 level office, located six miles away. Window service hours at Clio
Post Office are from 7:45 am to 1:15 pm 2 pm to 4 pm, Monday through Friday and closed on Saturday. There are 174 post office
boxes available for rent.
Six miles to Clio? Eleven, through the mountains.
The following concerns were expressed from questionnaires, the community meeting, from customer letters, on the petition, and
from the congressional inquiry:
1. Concern: Customers expressed concern over the apparent lack of interest by the
Postal Service for the needs of the community.
Response: The Postal Service is required to provide each community with regular
and effective service, using the most cost efficient means possible.
The proposed alternate delivery service will meet the mailing and
service needs of the community in a more cost effective manner.
2. Concern: Customers expressed concern over the dependability of rural route
service.
Response: Rural letter carriers perform a vital function in the United States Postal
Service serving thousands of families and businesses in rural and
suburban areas while traveling millions of miles daily. Rural letter
carriers are highly respected by the American public. This respect has
been earned by many years of dedication to the Postal Service and to
postal customers. During national and local emergencies, including
prolonged periods of extreme weather conditions, rural carriers have
demonstrated great responsibility in providing mail service to postal
customers. Rural carriers are required to serve the route expeditiously
each day.
3. Concern: Customers were concerned about having to travel to another post
office for service
Response: The customer expressed a concern about having to travel to another
post office for service. Services provided at the post office will be
available from the carrier, and customers will not have to travel to
another post office for service. Most transactions do not require
meeting the carrier at the mailbox. Stamps by Mail and Money Order
Application forms are available for customer convenience.
Item Nbr: 33
Page !'{br: 3
4. Concern: Customers were concerned about having to travel to another Post
Office for service.
Response: Services provided at the Post Office will be available from the carrier,
and customers will not have to travel to another Post Office for service.
Most transactions do not require meeting the carrier at the mailbox.
Stamps by Mail and Money Order Application forms are available for
customer convenience. Stamps are also available at many stores and
gas stations were customers may already shop, online at usps.com, or
by calling 1-800-STAMP-24.
5. Concern: Customers were concerned about obtaining services from the carrier.
Response: The rural carrier provides all the services that are available at the Post
Office with the exception of PO Box service and bulk mail acceptance.
This includes stamp sales, package pick up, special services and and
money order sales.
6. Concern: Customers were concerned about senior citizens.
Response: Carrier service is beneficial to many senior citizens and those who
face special challenges because the carrier can provide delivery and
retail services to roadside mailboxes or Centralized Box Units.
Customers do not have to make a special trip to the Post Office for
service. Special provisions are made for hardship cases or special
customer needs. To request an exception for hardship delivery,
customers may contact the administrative postmaster for more information
7. Concern: Customers were concerned about a change of address
Response: The customer expressed a concern about a change in address.
Customers will be assigned a 911 address. The new address will
continue to use the community name and ZIP Code. Mail will be
forwarded in accordance with postal regulations, and change of
address forms are available from the Postal Service to assist
customers in notifying correspondents of the change.
8. Concern: Customers were concerned about mail security
Response: The customer expressed a concern about the security of mail.
Customers may place a lock on their mailboxes. The mailbox must
have a slot large enough to accommodate the customer's normal daily
mail volume. The Postal Service does not open mailboxes which are
locked and does not accept keys for this purpose.
9. Concern: Customers were concerned about the mailboxes being damaged by
snowplows
Response: The customer expressed a concern about the mailboxes being
damaged by snowplows. Please contact the administrative postmaster
to determine the proper mailbox location and installation method that
would help alleviate this concern. Placing the mailbox on a long,
swinging, horizontal pipe is one method often used to avoid damage
by snowplows.
10. Concern: Customers were concerned about vandalism of their mail box.
Response:
Item Nbr: 33
Page Nbr: 4
Some advantages of the proposal are:
1. The rural or contract delivery carrier may provide retail services, alleviating the need to go to the post
office. Stamps by Mail order forms are provided for customer convenience.
Customers opting for carrier service will have 24-hour access to their mail.
Savings for the Postal Service contribute in the long run to stable postage rates and savings for
customers.
CBUs can offer the security of individually locked mail compartments. Parcel lockers provide convenient
parcel delivery for customers.
Customers opting for carrier service will not have to pay post office box fees.
Saves time and energy for customers 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 contract delivery carrier.
Meeting the rural or contract delivery carrier at the box to transact business. However, it is not
necessary to be present to conduct most Postal Service transactions.
A change in the mailing address. The community name will continue to be used in the new address. A
carrier route address will be assigned.
Taking all available information into consideration, the Postal Service concludes this proposal will provide a maximum degree of
effective and regular postal services to the community.
II. EFFECT ON COMMUNITY
Sattley is an unincorporated community located in Sierra County. The community is administered politically by Sierra County.
Police protection is provided by the Sierra County Sheriff Office. Fire protection is provided by the Calpine Volunteer Fire
Department. The community is comprised of retired, self employeed, forest service, loggers, ranchers, and those who commute to
work at nearby communities and work in local businesses.
Businesses and organizations include: Sierra County Waterworks Citizens Allianz for Property Rights Calpine Improvement
Association Calpine Fire Department Sierra County Fire Safe Council, Premo Construction The Gold Rush Gallery Sierra Valley
Trading Company Chapmans Sharp Crosscut Saws McDonald Enterprises Wild Hair Wedding Sierra Valley Lodge Sierra County
Prospects Driscoll Construction Alpine Concrete & Pumping Butler Construction Nevasoft Inc Babs Roder Craft and Gift Store.
Residents may travel to nearby communities for other supplies and services.
Nonpostal services provided at the Sattley Post Office will be available at the Sierraville Post Office. Government forms normally
provided by the Post Office will also be available at the Sierraville Post Office or by contacting your local government agency.
The following nonpostal concerns were expressed from questionnaires, the community meeting, on the petition, and on the
congressional inquiry:
1. Concern: Customers were concerned about the loss of a gathering place and
an information center.
Response: Residents may continue to meet informally, socialize, and share
information at the other businesses, churches and residences in town.
2. Concern: Customers were concerned about growth in the community
Response: The customer expressed a concern about growth in the community.
The growth of a community does not depend on the location of a
post office. Based on information obtained by the Postal Service, it
was determined that there has been minimal growth in the area in
recent years. Carrier service will be able to accommodate future growth
3. Concern: Customers were concerned about senior citizens
Response: The customer expressed a concern about senior citizens. Carrier
service is beneficial to many senior citizens and those who face
special challenges because the carrier can provide delivery and
retail services to Customers do not have to make a special trip to the
post office for service. Special provisions are made for hardship
cases or special customer needs. To request an exception for
hardship delivery, customers may contact the administrative
postmaster for more information.
4. Concern: You were concerned about having to travel to another post office for
con/iro
Item Nbr: 33
Page ]\i"hr: 5
Response: The customer expressed a concern about having to travel to another
post office for service. Services provided at the post office will be
available from the carrier, and customers will not have to travel to
another post office for service. Most transactions do not require
meeting the carrier at the mailbox. Stamps by Mail and Money Order
Application forms are available for customer convenience.
Based on the information obtained in the course of this discontinuance study, the Postal Service concludes this proposal will not
adversely affect the community.
Item Nbr:·33
Page !'Ibr: 6
III. EFFECT ON EMPLOYEES
The postmaster position became vacant when the postmaster retired on July 01,2009. The noncareer postmaster relief (PMR) may
be separated from the Postal Service. No other Postal Service employee will be adversely affected. Since the postmaster vacancy
an OIC has been installed to operate the office.
IV. ECONOMIC SAVINGS
The Postal Service estimates an annual savings of $55,908 with a breakdown as follows:
Postmaster Salary (EAS-11, No COLA)
Fringe Benefits @ 33.5%
Annual Lease Costs
$32,890
$11,018
+ $12000
Total Annual Costs
Less Annual Cost of Replacement Service
$55,908 .:..i.Q
Total Annual Savings $55 908
V. OTHER FACTORS
The Postal Service has identified no other factors for consideration.
VI. SUMMARY
The Postal Service is proposing to close the Sattley, CA Post Office and provide delivery and retail services by highway contract
route service under the administrative responsibility of the Sierraville Post Office, located 13 miles away.
The postmaster retired on July 01, 2009. If the office has a noncareer PMR(s), they may be separated from the Postal Service;
however, attempts will be made to reassign the employee(s) to a nearby facility. No other employee(s) will be adversely affected.
Post office workload has declined. Effective and regular service will continue to be provided by highway contract route service.
The Sattley Post Office provided delivery and retail service to 165 PO Box or general delivery customers and 18 delivery route
customers. The daily retail window transactions averaged 26. There are one permit mailers or postage meter customers.
There will no longer be a retail outlet in the community. However, delivery and retail services may be available from a rural or
contract delivery carrier, which could alleviate the need to travel to a post office for service. The Postal Service will save an
estimated $55,908 annually. A disadvantage to some may be in meeting the rural or contract delivery carrier to transact business.
However, it is not necessary to be present to conduct most Postal Service transactions with a rural or contract delivery carrier.
Taking all available information into consideration, the Postal Service has determined that the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages and this proposal is warranted.
VII. NOTICES
A. Support Materials. Copies of all materials upon which this proposal is based are available for public inspection at the Sattley
Post Office, Clio Post Office and Sierraville Post Office during normal office hours.
B. This is a proposal. It is not a final determination to close this post office. If a final determination is made to close this post
office, after public comments on this proposal are received and taken into account, a notice of that final determination will be
posted in this office.
The final determination will contain instructions on how affected customers may appeal that decision to the Postal Regulatory
Commission. Any such appeal must be received by the commission within 30 days of the posting of the final determination.
06/29/2011
RENEE BROWN
Manager, Post Office Operations
Date
