The 43937 zip code for Maynard will not be going away in the near future, but the future of the Maynard post office appears bleak.
On Thursday, residents packed Maynard United Methodist Church, the facility that has served as a temporary post office for seven years since floods in 2004 took out a permanent location.
That temporary status helped put the Maynard post office on the list of facilities being considered for closure.
Officials from the U.S. Postal Service say they are losing revenue by the billions each year, and the agency is considering measures like consolidations to keep operating.
There are 84 residents with post office boxes there, but many more utilize the services offered at the post office. People buy stamps and money orders, drop off mail and packages, and socialize with others.
Officials from the U.S. Postal Service were on hand to explain the proposal and answer questions.
The comments were recorded, and transcripts will be included in information considered if the Postal Service decides to close the Maynard office.
"The whole postal service model was based on continuing growth and usage of first-class mail," said Victor Dubina, spokesman for the Postal Service from the Northeast Ohio Division, who came from Cleveland to conduct the meeting. "The system worked when there was growth, but people aren't using the mail."
Officials said the Postal Service will owe Congress $5.5 billion by the end of its fiscal year on Sept. 30. If something isn't done to "right the ship," the Postal Service will not have enough money to pay its employees or continue to operate come Oct. 1.
Residents had several questions about how the mail service in town would work if the post office was closed.
Officials said customers would have the option of receiving rural route delivery, including curbside delivery or delivery to "cluster" lock boxes in certain locations. They would also have the option of getting a post office box in St. Clairsville or Fairpoint.
Most postal customers in Maynard viewed a possible closing of the post office as an inconvenience. Many praised Norma Spears, who has worked at the Maynard Post Office for more than 18 years.
Postal officials said if the Maynard post office were closed, it would save around $40,000 per year. They added that Spears would not be laid off.