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Date: 9/27/2017
HAMPDEN – While the United States Postal Service (USPS) website brands itself as the most convenient and affordable shipping and mailing service, some Hampden residents may not agree.
When a question regarding an incorrect delivery of mail was posed by a resident on the 01036: The Hampden, Massachusetts Occasional Facebook page, an outpouring from residents ensued, with the post garnering over 108 comments of concerned citizens.
The original post, by Elizabeth Frederick reads, “What is wrong with our post office? I haven’t been getting my mail. Got mail that belonged to someone on the other side of town. I get my neighbor’s several houses away. I’ve called several times complaining and even tracked down the carrier to give them back the handful of mail in my box that’s not mine.”
The responses succeeded, with one resident having an experience of missing or incorrectly delivered mail after the next.
“It’s the age-old question in Hampden, whose mail is this? Where is my mail? What’s wrong with this mail service? Who do I call to correct this?” Guy Mancuso responded.
“We’ve been having this problem for quite some time. Packages that I get an ‘out on the truck for delivery’ notification for don’t show up until days later. I’ve called to complain and also called the postmaster in East Longmeadow with no improvement,” Katie Lanzoni said.
“I’m missing mail, get other people’s mail, even got a USPS package belonging to my neighbor. Something’s definitely wrong,” Francine Cumings added. “I received an elderly woman’s Social Security check. That’s pretty bad…”
Residents from all over town expressed their concerns and confusion on why their mail carriers aren’t delivering to the correct homes. Some citizens claimed that this has been an ongoing battle for the years since Hampden’s mail began being sorted and delivered by the East Longmeadow Post Office.
“I always believed there was supposed to be a high level of sanctity, trust and efficiency in the USPS. Since the retirement of one of Hampden’s long-time mailmen, and changing to East Longmeadow Post Office handling Hampden’s mail, which I think is about two or three years now, Hampden mail delivery has been haphazard and not trustworthy or secure. At first I thought it was only our street, but since have learned that it is town wide,” Cynthia Bailey said.
“It’s been bad since they stopped sorting mail here in town. New drivers all the time. They don’t care,” Patricia Turnberg Marini noted.
Playing devils advocate, Peter Lehndorff said he doesn’t believe the Hampden Post Office is at fault, and that it isn’t the driver’s fault either.
“I’m pretty sure it is not the driver’s fault. He or she isn’t supposed to have to stop and read each address. That should be done and sorted before it gets loaded into the vehicle,” Lehndorff said.
When Reminder Publications called the Hampden Post Office, they were quickly pointed in the direction of the East Longmeadow Post Office, as Hampden Post Office is not responsible for sorting or distributing any mail.
Ron Roberts who works in the East Longmeadow Post Office stated that East Longmeadow directly sorts the mail in-house, and then gives it to the carriers for delivery. With that, Roberts said he addresses complaints with carriers when he receives calls of misdirected mail.
“I always go back and address that carrier, I say, you know, pay more attention to the address,” Roberts said.
Roberts noted that there are two regular carriers for the town of Hampden as well as at least one substitute carrier, who has been in use frequently.
“There’s a handful of fairly new carriers in that area,” Roberts stated.
When asked if he was aware that this was a reoccurring and long-term problem Hampden residents had been experiencing, Roberts was surprised and said he “didn’t know about that.” Citizens of the town, however, have noted they’ve called to complain on various occasions.
“We have had the same issue since last spring. We also have complained numerous times. My kids didn’t even get their back to school letters with teacher assignments until about a week ago. Who knows what else we are missing?” Kate Yahres Dzierzgowski said.
“This has been happening on our road for at least two years! Neighbor’s mail. Mail from other streets. All the time!” Beverly Witkop commented.
“Maybe a letter of dissatisfaction from every citizen of Hampden who is disappointed or concerned about the lack of acceptable performance by our local delivery people,” Guy Mancuso said. To which James Lopardo responded, “It won’t get delivered to the right place…”
While residents appear grateful to their neighbors for returning mail to the rightful owner, the general consensus is one of frustration.
“We are lucky to live in a neighborhood, and town, where people are considerate of others and also feel safe enough to hand deliver each other’s misdelivered mail. It’s great to visit with neighbors, and maybe meet new neighbors, but this is an unnecessary inconvenience,” Cynthia Bailey said.
Roberts suggested that residents call the East Longmeadow Post Office and ask for him, explain what happened and offer their address so he can talk directly to the proper mail carrier.
“I can address it and see where the issues are,” Roberts assured.
The East Longmeadow Post Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To call and report incorrectly delivered or missing mail, call 525-8855