ZIP CODE CHANGE EFFORT
South Setauket is currently included in zip code 11720 with Centereach, a larger community south of South Setauket. This is undesirable for many reasons. Some of those are:
Maybe 5-6 years ago, a larger community in South Setauket with political connections spearheaded an effort to have a dedicated zip code (11734) our area. They contacted other communities in South Setauket for support, including TVG. Through Lee Zeldin, at the time our Representative in Congress, a meeting with regional Post Office personnel was arranged and the case for a dedicated zip code presented. The request was rejected, the reason cited was a Post Office rule stating only communities with more than 50,000 residents could have their own zip.
The board subsequently met with Evan, a politically connected leader of the zip code effort who attended the Post Office meeting, to discuss options. Evan said the Post Office people hinted that asking for South Setauket to be moved from 11720 to 11733 might be approved. The board said we would consider leading an effort to make this happen.
We developed a rough presentation for this effort. After a considerable delay for COVID and other items, we met with Evan again to show him where we stood and ask him if he could arrange another meeting with the Post Office through Zeldin’s successor, Nick LaLota.
Much to our surprise, Evan said the best chances for approval are now to ask for a dedicated South Setauket zip code. Apparently, the Post Office now has the ability for one post office to sort mail for two zip codes. The labor union for PO employees objects strongly to moving personnel to new post offices if not absolutely necessary. (Moving South Setauket into zip 11733 would require transferring some Centereach people to the Setauket PO.)
The board prefers moving into zip 11733, but believes a dedicated zip code is far better than sharing a zip with Centereach. One of the reasons for this belief, which cannot be used as a reason to move into 11733, is a belief that South Setauket home values would increase.
Evan will work to arrange for a Post Office meeting, which may take a while. Nick LaLota does not currently have the status and “pull” that Lee Zeldin had. When and if a meeting is arranged the board will be a part of the effort to leave zip 11720.
South Setauket is currently included in zip code 11720 with Centereach, a larger community south of South Setauket. This is undesirable for many reasons. Some of those are:
- The Three Village school district includes South Setauket. Most of the rest of the school district, perhaps the premier district in Suffolk County, is in zip code 11733. Some home buyers have to be convinced that buying a home in South Setauket will mean their children would attend Three Village schools. Centereach has its own school system.
- The Setauket Fire district includes South Setauket, but is otherwise entirely in zip 11733. Centereach has its own fire district and does not answer calls in South Setauket.
- The Three Village library district includes South Setauket, but the district is mostly in 11733. South Setauket residents cannot use the Centereach (Middle Country) Library except to take out very old, lightly used books. Yet the Middle Country newsletter is uselessly sent to South Setauket homes.
- Zip code 11733 includes Setauket and East Setauket. It seems desirable to have all areas with “Setauket” in its name in the same zip code (and the same school, fire and library districts).
Maybe 5-6 years ago, a larger community in South Setauket with political connections spearheaded an effort to have a dedicated zip code (11734) our area. They contacted other communities in South Setauket for support, including TVG. Through Lee Zeldin, at the time our Representative in Congress, a meeting with regional Post Office personnel was arranged and the case for a dedicated zip code presented. The request was rejected, the reason cited was a Post Office rule stating only communities with more than 50,000 residents could have their own zip.
The board subsequently met with Evan, a politically connected leader of the zip code effort who attended the Post Office meeting, to discuss options. Evan said the Post Office people hinted that asking for South Setauket to be moved from 11720 to 11733 might be approved. The board said we would consider leading an effort to make this happen.
We developed a rough presentation for this effort. After a considerable delay for COVID and other items, we met with Evan again to show him where we stood and ask him if he could arrange another meeting with the Post Office through Zeldin’s successor, Nick LaLota.
Much to our surprise, Evan said the best chances for approval are now to ask for a dedicated South Setauket zip code. Apparently, the Post Office now has the ability for one post office to sort mail for two zip codes. The labor union for PO employees objects strongly to moving personnel to new post offices if not absolutely necessary. (Moving South Setauket into zip 11733 would require transferring some Centereach people to the Setauket PO.)
The board prefers moving into zip 11733, but believes a dedicated zip code is far better than sharing a zip with Centereach. One of the reasons for this belief, which cannot be used as a reason to move into 11733, is a belief that South Setauket home values would increase.
Evan will work to arrange for a Post Office meeting, which may take a while. Nick LaLota does not currently have the status and “pull” that Lee Zeldin had. When and if a meeting is arranged the board will be a part of the effort to leave zip 11720.