GRAVETTE — Window service at several post offices in the Eagle Observer area is being considered for reduced hours, according to the Arkansas District of the U.S. Postal Service.

The new plan (POST) is being proposed to keep the nation’s smallest offices open for business while providing a framework to achieve significant cost savings, a USPS release noted.

If finally approved, the changes will occur over a two-year period ending September, 2014.

The plan will keep existing post offices in place but with modified retail window hours. Access to P.O. boxes will remain unchanged, and the town’s ZIP code and community identity will be retained.

Offices being considered for the reduced hours change include those in Sulphur Springs, Hiwasse, Decatur and Maysville.

Public meetings will be held in each town to secure citizen input which will be considered before a final decision is made. Meetings are scheduled in the following places:

◊Sulphur Springs, 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, at the city hall to consider reducing window service hours from 8 to 4 hours weekdays.

◊Hiwasse, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, at the fire station/community hall to consider reducing window service hours from 8 to 4 hours weekdays.

◊ Decatur, 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the city community room to consider reducing window service hours from 8 to 6 hours weekdays.

◊Maysville (date and time not announced), toconsider reducing window service hours from 8 to 2 hours weekdays.

The public is invited to attend the meetings to obtain information and to provide input.

For information, contact your local post office, Sulphur Springs, 298-3282; Hiwasse, 787-6825; Decatur, 752-3487; or Maysvillle, 291-4286.

News, Pages 1 on 10/10/2012