Starting in 2013, the Buffalo, Iowa Post Office will be open for only six hours a day during the week.
On Thursday, October 18th, 2012, representatives from the United States Postal Service met with Buffalo residents to read the results of a survey that was sent out to them in September.
90% of those who filled out the survey said they would rather reduce the hours their post office is open than lose it altogether.
That has been the fear ever since he USPS announced its big budget burden. It had planned to close 3,700 post offices nationwide, including 170 in Iowa. However, in May, the USPS announced it would instead reduce the hours in 13,000 post offices, which includes 572 in Iowa. The USPS expects to save around $500 million a year when the plan is in effect nationwide by September 2014.
More than 30 residents packed the Buffalo Post Office on Thursday night to hear the fate of their post office. Many were happy with the decision, but others say they're still afraid the post office could close in the future if the USPS isn't making enough money elsewhere.
"I am glad that we are going to get to keep it, just as long as they don't turn around and shut it down in a year," says Sandra Anderson. "If they shut us down, this town will just dry up to nothing and I don't think, as citizens, we deserve that."