No Saturday mail an inconvenience

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- In a continued effort to cut costs, the U.S. Postal Service is now saying it plans to stop Saturday mail deliveries. The proposed change is expected to save 2 billion dollars but some say it could also be a major inconvenience for customers.

Whether it's bills, letters, or junk mail people have become accustomed to getting their mail six days a week so stopping Saturday service is getting a return to sender stamp from some residents.

"I look forward to seeing my mailman every Saturday, Dave," said Kevin Gervais of Norwich.

The postal service says packages would still be delivered but no first class mail starting August 1, saving the struggling agency 2 billion dollars a year.

"That's terrible. How do they expect people to get mail? And that's another job cut," said Linda Byrd of Norwich.

The change comes as the postal service deals with a loss of 16 billion dollars last year. Some say Congress delivered a financial blow to the agency when it required it to fully fund benefits for future retirees.

"They can cut back on the war people. The money they're spending there, they can support the people here," said Byrd.

"So you rather the government help the post office out," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"Correct," said Byrd.

"Of course I'm old enough to remember when they delivered twice a day and on Sunday," said Ruth Randolph of Norwich.

"That was a different time, right," asked News 8's Detelj.

"Quite different," said Randolph.

There is already a sign of the tough financial times at the post office here in Norwich. The building is for sale because the postal service just can't afford to maintain this huge space.

"They can't just close it and leave people stranded like that with no post office," said Gervais.

Folks here hope another downtown location can be found if this building is sold.

As for Saturday service, putting a hold on those mail deliveries would not affect operating hours at local post offices.