Date: Fri 29-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

post-office-tire-chains-mail

Full Text:

with photo... New USPS Policy On Tire Chains May Stall The Appointed Rounds

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Some of Newtown's postal carriers say residents should not be surprised if

their mail never arrives during bad snowstorms this winter.

The US Postal Service recently announced that certain postal trucks could no

longer use chains on their tires during snowstorms, leaving some mail men in

disbelief.

"There's going to be a lot less mail delivered this winter," said rural

carrier Jim Schieffer. "It won't be from a lack of trying, we just won't be

able to reach everyone without the chains."

The order went out from Washington, D.C. that chains could no longer but used

on the tires of all postal trucks as the Post Office seeks to reduce annual

postal costs. Not only are the chains expensive, according to Newtown

Postmaster Dick Maguire, but they often break, causing heavy damage to the

undercarriage of the aluminum vehicles. Also, he said, gas tanks have been

known to puncture when struck by a broken chain and wheel wells and wheel

casings are sometimes chewed up.

The postal vehicles are actually Chevy S-10 pick-up trucks with aluminum

Grumman bodies.

Mr Maguire said there is also the problem of time. It takes a long time to get

each truck chained the morning after a snowstorm.

But as the mail carriers point out, neither the cost nor the time saving

measures will be of any help to them as they attempt to climb some of

Newtown's steepest hills, while stopping every 30 to 40 feet to drop off mail.

"All of us agree, `how are we going to do our routes,'" said city carrier Rob

Frangione. "To not have chains on the tire, you're just sliding all over. How

are we going to deliver the mail safely?"

Mr Frangione said the chains are effective in both ice and snow.

"The chain makes a path, so even if it turns to ice the path is still there,"

he said.

As for Mr Maguire, he's not sure how the chainless policy will work out as the

post office delivers to Newtown's 10,000 delivery locations.

"Time will tell. It really depends on the condition of the roads," said Mr

Maguire, who said studded tires haven't worked in the past. "If it doesn't

work out, we'll have to take another approach."

Among some of the toughest hills in Newtown during the winter, according to

the postal carriers include Mount Pleasant, Church Hill Road, Scudder Road,

Castle Hill Road, Cedar Hill Road, Orchard Hill Road and Schoolhouse Hill

Road.

Last year, about half a route near Hanover Road was not delivered one

blizzardy day, according to Mr Maguire.