Postal Service promises to take graffiti off box
Globe reader William Bell of Beverly is concerned about the appearance of his neighborhood. In recent weeks, graffiti has been sprayed on objects in the area, including several street signs and a Postal Service relay box. When contacted by Bell last month, town officials immediately removed the street sign graffiti, but postal officials have yet to take action.
''Despite two phone calls, the first of which was on Oct. 26, they have yet to restore their green relay mailbox on Railroad Avenue to its previous pristine state," Bell wrote in an e-mail to GlobeWatch. ''I am sure that the Beverly DPW used a solvent to clean the street signs, so I don't understand what is taking the post office so long."
Bell said he would like the relay box cleaned up before it inspires others to spray more graffiti on other fixtures in the neighborhood.
Postal officials respond:
GlobeWatch contacted Bell's local post office on Rantoul Street in Beverly -- the office that Bell twice contacted -- and was told by a postal employee to call the postal office at the Cummings Center.
One more telephone call, and the Globe secured a promise for quick action.
''This is the first I hear about it," said Beverly postmaster Michael P. Gangi, who has been on the job for about a month. ''To tell you the truth, I'm surprised to hear that there is even a relay box out there. We don't use them anymore because our postal carriers all have vehicles. They no longer walk their routes, so there's no longer any need for the boxes, which were used to store the mail.
''I'll let my custodian know about it, and have him take a peek out there," said Gangi. ''If there's a relay box on Railroad Avenue, and it's in need of a cleaning, we will take care of it. We may even remove it."
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?
The Postal Service. If there's a problem in your neighborhood, contact the manager of your local post office, or call the Boston District's Office of Consumer Affairs and Claims at 617-654-5398.
BRENDA J. BUOTE
