Triumph In Hawleyville: The Post Office Returns

By Nancy K. Crevier

The sidewalk out front of 23 Barnabas Road was bustling with activity already at 8:15 am, Monday, March 15, as postal patrons and members of the Save Hawleyville Post Office Committee eagerly awaited the reopening of the Hawleyville Post Office.

Right on time, Postmaster Mark Favale and staff members Laura Smolen and Rich Ruscitto unlocked the door, and with the honorary assistance of Save Hawleyville Post Office supporter Charles Speidel, raised the American flag and pronounced the facility “Open for business.” Then began the business of greeting customers, handing out new postal box keys, and trouble-shooting the minor problems that accompany any new endeavor.

Words like “thrilled,” “excited,” “proud,” and “delighted,” filled the lobby of the new post office, as residents celebrated the return of the historic post office to the Hawleyville area. The post office, which for 165 years has served area residents at sites just down Route 25 from the new facility, was closed temporarily February 14, 2009, by the United States Postal Office (USPS), citing safety and customer service concerns. Hawleyville Post Office patrons were relocated to the Newtown Commerce Road facility for mail delivery in the interim. Customers were notified Friday, March 12, by a notice in their boxes that service would be returned to the new Hawleyville site, said Alan Jacobs, a Hawleyville box holder.

“It was the nicest thing ever to get in my post office box. Usually, you just get bills. I was delighted to find out we were back here,” he said.

The temporary closure followed three years of uncertainty as to the future of the Hawleyville Post Office, as the USPS considered several options, from renovation of the Route 25 location to permanent closure.

Local citizens were concerned last year that any closure could still become permanent. Through efforts of the grassroots Save Hawleyville Post Office organization, the office of Congressman Chris Murphy, former Newtown selectman Joe Borst, and many others, however, the USPS heeded the community’s voices and allocated emergency funding to relocate the post office and reinstate the personnel.

“I am absolutely glad to see the whole gang back,” said Brookfield resident Sylvia Malinski, as she gave returning Postmaster Favale a welcoming hug. “It’s so important that we got this post office back,” she added.

Cornelia Baker of Bethel had been an outspoken supporter since the first threat of closing the post office loomed over the area. “I’ve had a box here for 18 years,” said Ms Baker, “so it’s great to have it back. This shows what people can do if they get together.”

“I think it’s super. It’s nice to have something positive happen when there’s so much bad happening in the world,” Mr Borst said. Mr Borst was instrumental in encouraging the USPS to retain the Hawleyville facility and to select a site nearby for the relocation. “I worked hard to get this done,” he said, looking about the bright lobby. “They did a nice job. I’m very happy for everybody here in Hawleyville,” he said.

Like so many others at the early morning gathering, Ann Marie Mitchell, head of the Save Hawleyville Post Office Committee, expressed her pleasure in not only having a post office reopen in the area, but to see the same staff back behind the windows serving the community. Mr Favale, Ms Smolen, and Mr Ruscitto are highly regarded by the many postal patrons of Hawleyville Post Office.

“I’m thrilled to see Laura, Mark, and Rich behind the desk,” said Ms Mitchell. “The joy has returned to the Hawleyville area, and our ordinary days are extraordinary again. [Mark, Laura, and Rich] are the heart for the brand the USPS conveys, that of customer service. If I could say one thing to Postmaster General Potter,” said Ms Mitchell, “it would be: customer service is what is going to make the post office survive.”

Lifelong Hawleyville resident Terry Laslo, also a driving force with the Save Hawleyville Post Office Committee, said, “I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say. I do want to say thank you to Congressman Murphy, and everyone who was in on [efforts to reopen the post office].”

Very pleased to have the post office back in the neighborhood were Hawleyville residents Edie and Bob Tschorn, and Ed Beers. “I’ve been pulling the mail out of these boxes since 1948,” said Mr Beers, “It was not easy to have to go into Newtown for my mail, so it is a relief to have them back.”

“You can see what a difference people can make when they want something,” said the Tschorns. “It’s wonderful, and it’s convenient for us. We’ve seen the post office go through other moves, from a space in the Hawleyville Deli to the old Platt’s Lumber space, and now here,” said Mr Tschorn. “And,” he added, “we’re really happy to have Mark and Laura and Rich back.”

Mae Schmidle, former Newtown state representative, arrived with an armload of American flags to hand out and plant around the mailbox out front of the facility. “I think this is the most exciting day in Hawleyville I’ve ever seen, “ said Ms Schmidle, “and I’ve seen a few.”

The exciting morning did not end with the early morning festivities, though. Throughout the day, said Ms Smolen, a steady line of customers filled the lobby and window areas, greeting the staff with hugs and tears of joy, flowers, and plants. A few lulls in the activity did allow the staff to reacclimate to their new work environment, she said. “We rented out five or six new boxes today, too, which was a nice surprise,” Ms Smolen said.

A promised appearance by a USPS representative for a special closing ceremony did not materialize at the end of the day. In providing an explanation as to why no USPS official was on hand for a first day closing ceremony, as had been indicated late the previous week, USPS spokesperson Maureen Marion said on Tuesday, March 16, that the position of the USPS is that “it is very appropriate for the local postmaster and our employees in Hawleyville to get this moment in the spotlight. It has been a long ride for the community, and for them. They deserved the chance to meet and greet their own neighbors on day one.” 

Not to disappoint the group gathered in the late afternoon, Postmaster Favale strung a ribbon across the doorway, then acquiesced the honor of cutting the ribbon to Save Hawleyville Post Office members Ann Marie Mitchell and Terry Laslo. He thanked all who had supported the reopening of the facility. “Without the community spirit, it wouldn’t have happened,” said the postmaster as the blue and red ribbons were snipped. “It’s a positive change for everybody.”

The celebration continues Monday morning, at 11 am, at the Hawleyville Post Office, when Gov M. Jodi Rell will be on hand to honor the reopening of the facility with brief comments, as will Newtown first selectman Pat Llodra and Save Hawleyville Post Office organizer Ann Marie Mitchell. Postmaster Mark Favale will present the governor with a special, commemorative plaque including a First Day stamped envelope and art work depicting the three Hawleyville sites that have housed the post office over its 165 year history.

The Hawleyville Post Office is at 23 Barnabas Road in Hawleyville, just off of Route 25 near the commuter lot. Lobby and window hours are 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8:30 am to noon on Saturday.