WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WIVB) — Growing frustration from a neighborhood without mailboxes is now being heard all the way in Washington, D.C. after Congressman Tim Kennedy recently wrote a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General in support of residents in a Wheatfield subdivision.
Neighbors in the Whistling Straits subdivision have to purchase a P.O. Box at the post office to get their mail, and many say they regret their decision to live in this neighborhood — especially because houses just outside of their neighborhood do receive their own mail.
“Had I known in the beginning I wouldn’t have had a mailbox … I wouldn’t have bought here,” said resident Chino Berrios.
“We’ve reached out to everyone,” said resident Deborah Dudek. “I’ve talked at a town meeting to the board about the situation, we’ve hired an attorney, we’ve been going through a whole lot trying to get this resolved … I think I would’ve chosen to live elsewhere if I had known this would be a problem.”
While driving to the post office is a simple errand to some, for others it’s somewhat impossible.
“We have a disabled veteran that lives in the neighborhood that has to get his medications through the P.O. Box, but he can’t drive,” Dudek said.
Other residents went on to explain how post office hours also make things difficult.
“The shipper says you’ll have it in a day or two, and it may be at the post office. But if you work during the day and can’t get to the post office … you’re delayed by sometimes as much as a week,” said resident Jeff Otterstein.
The added costs of a P.O. Box can range anywhere from $18 to $319 depending on how long they’re purchased for.
Kennedy wrote a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General demanding the neighborhood receive the mail service it deserves.
In a statement to News 4, Town of Wheatfield attorney Matthew Brooks said: “I can advise that the Town of Wheatfield has been working very hard with Congressman Kennedy’s office to get the Sanborn Postmaster to agree to deliver the mail to the residents you referenced via mailbox. This issue is purely between the developer of the subdivision, Ryan Homes, and the U.S. Post Office.”
“Nonetheless, the Town itself has tried to work with this Postmaster on behalf of the residents and has been rebuffed. The issue is purely federal, over which the Town has absolutely no authority and input, which is why we have turned to the Congressman for the residents in question.”
“However, an attorney for some of the residents has indicated that he may attempt some sort of legal action against the Town, and as a result, the Town can have no further comment on a matter of threatened litigation.”
We reached out to Ryan Homes for comment but have yet to hear back.
Angelica Gallagher is a Lancaster native who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work here.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
