Shohola to get new PO

By TOM KANE

SHOHOLA, PA — Christine Greis likes the idea of a new post office for Shohola, but she doesn’t want to see it leave the heart of the township.

“A new post office is really needed but they may put it somewhere other than the village and that may hurt the village,” she said. “Especially for seniors who walk to the post office.”

“We’ll put the post office in the village if someone comes forward with a good site,” said U. S. Postal Service Facilities Specialist Michael New, who addressed township officials and residents in attendance at the township monthly meeting on March 10.

New told people how out-of-date and insufficient the present post office is.

“One mail route sorting area is in a closet,” he said. “The township is growing very rapidly, as is the rest of Pike County and the Shohola Post Office has to grow with it.”

The current post office is only 700 square feet. New is looking for an existing building or an empty lot where a building of 2,500 square feet could be built with room for expansion.

“We’re looking for at least one acre,” New said. “More would be better if we can get it.”

He will be soliciting potential sites in local papers and on the radio for the next 30 days. Applications can be obtained at the current post office or at the township building on Twin Lakes Road.

New said he would work with the historical society in selecting a building or site. “This is an historical area and we are sensitive to that,” he said. “We want to work on this together with the community.”

Multiple occupancy would be acceptable, too, he said.

New will return to the township’s monthly meeting on April 14 to collect solicitations and to get community input. In 60 days, a decision will be made. “We realize that this is a zoning and a planning matter and we want to do it right. We’ll use a real estate broker if an adequate site has not been forthcoming from individuals,” he said. “This is a one year to a one and a half year process.”

“I think a new post office for the township is well timed,” said George J. Fluhr, chairman of the township board. “I think they ought to look at the Barryville Post Office that is even smaller than ours.”