Marshville Addressing Conversion Underway

Residents Will Use Home Addresses For Mail Delivery

CHARLOTTE NC — The Postal Service has begun an addressing conversion project for the residents served by cluster boxes within the Town of Marshville.  The project will use home addresses for mail delivery to cluster box mail receptacles.  The change adds Marshville’s residential addresses to the Postal Service’s national address database, which contains 146 million addresses. 

The address conversion brings Marshville’s mailing addresses in line with local 9-1-1 emergency services addresses of record.  The conversion also brings increased security, by providing new locks and keys for all mail receptacles.

“We are working to make the change as easy as possible for our customers.  We are going door to door as we convert each customer, providing a letter of instruction and new keys.  We’re explaining the changes and answering questions,” said Marshville Postmaster Tracy Austin. 

The project also includes the installation of 21 new cluster boxes that will service 190 customers.  “While the installations are taking place, it will be necessary for the affected customers to pick up their mail at the Post Office for a short period of time,” added Austin.  “We are staggering the installations and working as quickly as possible, so that the impact will be minimal.  We estimate that the installations will take about a week per box and expect to complete all installations by June 13, 2008.”

The addition of residential addresses into the Postal Service’s national database allows the mail to be sorted through high speed automated equipment and delivered to the Marshville Post Office in address order.  The automated mail process results in faster delivery and improved accuracy, eliminating the need for manual sortation.

Residents are asked to notify their correspondents of their correct address as soon as possible.  “During the transition we are going to make every effort to deliver mail with the former cluster box numbers, as long as we can determine the name and address,” said Austin.  “However, it is very important that customers begin using their home addresses for mailing purposes as soon as possible.”

Customers do not need to complete a Change of Address card.  Customers can continue using letterhead, stationery, checks and other documents printed with their previous cluster box address.  When it is time to reorder, they should use their home addresses.

“Most customers have been very understanding when the changes have been explained,” said Austin.  “We appreciate their patience during the transition.  This addressing conversion project will help us provide the best service possible to Marshville residents.”