Mailboxes are for mail only

BLACKSTONE — Postmaster John T. Gonya today reminded residents that mailboxes are to be used solely for mail on which postage has been paid.

“More and more people, it seems, are printing and distributing their own advertising leaflets, using official mailboxes to reach potential customers,” he said, adding: “This is against the law.” These unauthorized placements in mailboxes hinder and slow down letter carriers in the performance of their jobs, he said.

The postmaster said receptacles intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail “may be used only for matter bearing postage. No part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found in mailboxes is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail.”

He said “whoever knowingly and willfully deposits in mailboxes any mailable matter on which no postage is paid with the intent to avoid payment of postage is subject to a fine of no more than $300 for each offense.”

“It is our hope people will cooperate and not use mailboxes for their own personal business,” the postmaster said.