New site sought in Imlaystown
By: Frank C. D’Amico
UPPER FREEHOLD – The U.S. Postal Service is seeking options for a plan to move the Imlaystown Post Office.
At the July 6 Township Committee meeting, Gregg Lackey, a representative from the Postal Service, met with the committee and a dozen residents.
Mr. Lackey was seeking input from residents about moving the post office from its present location on Main Street.
"The post office has a special relationship with people, especially in small towns," he said. "A change in location is an important event."
The post office serves the Imlaystown section of Upper Freehold and is located in a private residence.
Upper Freehold has one other post office, the Cream Ridge office, on Burlington Path.
Township Business Administrator Barbara Bascom said residents started to inquire two years ago about finding a new and bigger location for the post office.
The post office’s public area, not including office space, is 6 feet by almost 11 feet, postal officials said. Mr. Lackey said the U. S. Postal Service is seeking a new location of at least 1,000 square feet.
"Wherever the new post office will be, it will have to be located in Imlaystown," he said.
Mr. Lackey said the Postal Service is legally bound to keeping the post office in the village of Imlaystown.
"I’m very interested in seeing this happen," Imlaystown resident John Thompson said. "The post office is the town center and a place for people to touch base."
One location discussed was the township’s former municipal building, which is located near the Main Street post office.
However, that building needs extensive renovation – which the Postal Service would fund – and its lot size might further hamper development. Ms. Bascom said the lot is too small to handle the septic system the building would need.
Mr. Lackey said the Postal Service will start advertising proposals locations for the project in local papers for 30 days.
Then the proposals will be posted in the post office.
Mr. Lackey said there is no timeline for the project’s completion.
"Community relations isn’t lip service to us," he said. "We do find public feedback valuable."