U.S. Postal Service adds unit at local Minit-Stop
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

DAVE BENJAMIN The opening of a Contract Postal Unit at the Minit-Stop in Jackson is expected to make the purchase of postal services more convenient for residents.

JACKSON - Need to buy a stamp, register a letter or send that birthday card to Auntie Em? Maybe you're late for work and just don't have the time to drive across town to get that mortgage bill in the early morning mail.

Now you can stop by the Minit-Stop convenience store at the corner of Chandler and Jackson Mills roads where the United States Postal Service has just opened a Contract Postal Unit (CPU). A grand-opening celebration for the mail facility was held last week.

Jackson now has three post office facilities: the main post office on Bennetts Mills Road near County Line Road; the Cassville satellite post office on West Veterans Highway; and the new Minit-Stop CPU.

Bob Bieth, CPU coordinator for the postal service, said, "We partner with local business in certain areas where there is a need and where we have not established a new post office. We partner with a business and the CPU does everything a regular post office does except money orders, post office boxes [and large foreign packages] at the same price."

The business that hosts the CPU earns a percentage of the revenue.

"It's a good partnership because they have the facility and we help them attract customers," Bieth said. "It brings in customers to do our business and to do business with them as well."

The CPU employees receive the same training as all U.S. Postal Service employees, he said.

In attendance at the grand opening were state Sen. Robert Singer, Jackson Township Council members Emily Ingram, Angelo Stallone and Scott Martin, and Candace Mueller, public policy director for Congressman Chris Smith.

"Small business is the backbone of all of us in this country," Singer said. "Opening this facility helps small business. It brings in more traffic and it provides a needed service. This post office will provide convenient service to a part of the community that needs that service. In my opinion it will also help make this shopping center buzz with a lot of activity."

Stallone said the CPU will take some pressure off of the other post office facilities in the community.

Martin said the CPU will prove to be convenient for residents in this area of the municipality.

Ingram said, "This is one stop where people can do some quick shopping for sandwiches, drinks or whatever and at the same time take care of their postal needs. The partnering between Minit-Stop and the postal service is a great idea. Jackson is really moving into the 21st century."

Mueller said CPUs are a great idea because they provide the opportunity for customer service. She presented a U.S. Capitol flag and a certificate to Matthew Ferrari, the owner of the Minit-Stop.

"I'm the newest member of the United States Postal Service," Ferrari said. "I want to thank my customers. Without them, I obviously would not be here. I appreciate their loyalty and patronage. I look forward to serving them in the years to come and I offer them the best products and customer service in our friendly hometown atmosphere that they are accustomed to."

Also in attendance were Vito Cetta, U.S. Postal Service Central New Jersey district manager; Ralph Moccio, U.S. Postal Service Central New Jersey marketing manager; and Jackson Postmaster Robert Ryan, who served as mater of ceremonies.

"It's important that we get this kind of support in the community for the postal service," Cetta said. "It's the federal, state and local governments working hand in hand to provide the best possible services here in New Jersey and in Jackson. We're very pleased to have that kind of cooperation."

Cetta thanked Ferrari for being a leader by offering his place of business as a CPU. He said the system works because people come forward to partner with the postal service. He said he understands that Jackson is a growing community and said the postal service is working hard to make sure the service is ready for the continuing growth.

"I assure you that Jackson is on our plate, and in the coming years we will get some extra services down here," Cetta said. "It's one of our top priorities and I hope we can bring that about in the coming year or two."

During the ceremony postal service employees Carrie Isolde and Vyonnia Thompson presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Manchester Township Middle School eighth-grader Nicole Bieth sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony many people lined up at the CPU to purchase stamps and to send letters and packages. Rosaria Calafati was the first customer at the officially opened new postal unit.

The Minit-Stop CPU is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The postal service is seeking to expand its reach to consumers through alternate access channels such as contract postal units, stamps on consignment, automated postal centers and online services via the postal Web site www.USPS.com. The Jackson Minit-Stop CPU joins a network of more than 3,400 CPUs in communities across the United States.