Flooded-out post office reopens after renovations

MILLTOWN - The borough post office reopened this week, more than two months after a nor'easter brought about 2 feet of water into the facility.

Postal and borough officials cut a large red ceremonial ribbon strung across the lobby of the Washington Avenue building on Tuesday to commemorate the grand reopening of the completely renovated post office.

The facility sustained extensive flood damage from the severe storm that ravaged the Northeast on April 16. The water caused damage throughout the facility, requiring new flooring, walls, wiring, computer equipment, point-of-sale retail terminals, and a whole new customer service retail lobby.

The renovations cost between $300,000 and $400,000, but a final figure was not yet available, according to George B. Flood, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The renovations have enhanced the employee work environment and made the retail lobby a nicer place for customers to do business, Flood said.

The postal service also took measures to protect the building.

"We have made provisions in our renovations to minimize the effects of any future flooding to the facility," Flood said. "Regarding flood control in the town and surrounding area, I think that response should come from the appropriate municipal, county and state officials."

During the renovations, postal officials positioned a mobile retail unit to serve customers in the Milltown Post Office parking lot, and moved the carrier and delivery operations to the East Brunswick Post Office.

With the reopening, normal business hours have resumed at the Milltown facility. The hours are: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Among those on hand for Tuesday's ceremony were Mayor Gloria Bradford, USPS acting Postmaster Cynthia Heluk and several other postal officials.

"We appreciate the patience of our customers and our employees during the renovations," said acting Milltown Postmaster Cynthia Heluk. "The newly renovated facility is going to be a great place to work for our employees and a great place to do business for our customers."

The Milltown post office employs 25 workers, who provide mail services for more than 7,000 residents in the 1.5 square mile borough. Milltown postal employees handle an average daily mail volume of 24,000 pieces. There are 3,300 deliveries on nine city carrier routes.

The post office also has 720 post office boxes and a total of 10 vehicles.