Tester announces ‘win-win compromise’ for Martin City postal customers

Senator also requests public information meeting for residents

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – There are expanded options for postal customers living in Martin City, Senator Jon Tester announced today.

Tester said the new options stem from a 'win-win compromise' between area residents and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

A 2007 decision by the USPS suspended postal service and shut down the Martin City Post Office, moving all PO Boxes to Hungry Horse.  Concerned residents said that while the Martin City Post Office had not provided home delivery, loss of their PO boxes would make access to postal service difficult for residents who don't drive.  They also feared loss of community identity. 

Tester asked the USPS to reconsider the closure.

In response to Tester's request, the USPS surveyed all 195 postal customers in Martin City.  They agreed to a compromise that will work for folks who want to continue receiving their mail in Hungry Horse and for those who prefer the service to return to Martin City.

As part of the compromise, the USPS will set up a cluster of conveniently located, secured mailboxes in Martin City, giving residents two options:

• Continue using their Martin City PO boxes at the Hungry Horse Post Office.
• Sign up for "cluster box delivery."  This will allow residents to send and receive mail—including packages—from Martin City using their physical street addresses.  Cluster box customers will also have access to other services such as purchasing stamps.

"This is a good situation, especially for elderly people in Martin City, so they don't have to go to another town to get their mail," said Maxine May, a longtime Martin City resident. "Jon made sure the Postal Service knew about our concerns and I'm glad they listened."

"This is a win-win compromise for folks in Martin City," Tester said.  "And I'm glad the Postal Service listened to our concerns and the concerns of the community to come up options that will suit everyone without jeopardizing Martin City's community identity."

At Tester's request, the Postal Service also agreed to hold a public information meeting for Martin City residents to explain the new options.  That meeting has not yet been scheduled.