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CLUSTERBOXES - PUBLIC <br />HEARING - A Public Hearing was set for this evening to <br />solicit citizen comments on the issue of <br />clusterboxes. Louisville's Postmaster John <br />Chopyak and District Supervisor Howard Buchanan <br />were invited to respond to Council and citizen <br />questions and concerns. Wanush briefly described <br />the issue centered around the safety of having <br />clusterboxes. It has been reported that cars are <br />driven over the curb crossing a lane of traffic to <br />retrieve mail. Wanush also related the results of <br />a survey soliciting public opinion on this issue <br />upon which staff recommended the following: 1) <br />Paint and sign the clusterboxes as soon as weather <br />and conditions permit; 2) Continue attempting to <br />clarify the Post Office's position on changing <br />clusterboxes and notify residents of results. <br />John Chopyak, Postmaster, stated that during <br />development proceedings, the City of Louisville <br />approved clusterboxes in many of the newer <br />housing developments. He also stated that <br />nationally this type of postal service is widely <br />used, accepted and declared safe by the Postal <br />Service. Chopyak acknowledged that driving <br />over the curb, crossing lanes of traffic, to <br />retrieve mail is illegal and anyone seeing such <br />action should either inform the person that it is <br />illegal or sign a citizen complaint. <br />Mayor Fauson opened the Public Hearing and called <br />Ron Buffo, 263 Hoover, to the podium for his <br />response. Buffo stated that he has a clusterbox <br />on the southwest corner of this property. He has <br />experience anger, frustration and finally signing <br />a citizen complaint with regard to the hazards of <br />driving over the curb to retrieve mail. Children <br />are not safe on the sidewalk. Buffo suggested <br />that as a short-term solution, the boxes could be <br />turned so as NOT t~o be accessible from inside a <br />vehicle. <br />Mr. Buchanan, District Supervisor, presented <br />Council with a packet of information and assured <br />Council that the Postal Service has been looking <br />into the concerns of safety with regard to this <br />issue. Buchanan stated that there is a cost <br />factor and they would not want to see the use of <br />clusterboxes prohibited in new development. The <br />Postal Service is willing to help alleviate the <br />situation being examined tonight short of <br />replacing the boxes. Mr. Buchanan stated that he <br />would endorse the turning of the boxes in many <br />locations and would seek permission from his <br />3 <br />