Letter to Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan - Support for the Establishment of a Unique ZIP Code for the Borough of Kinnelon, In Morris County, New Jersey

Letter

We are writing to express our support for the establishment of a unique ZIP Code for the Borough of Kinnelon, in Morris County, New Jersey.

The Borough of Kinnelon currently shares a ZIP Code with the Borough of Butler. Unfortunately, Kinnelon's ZIP Code defaults to Butler, which creates a number of complications for residents, including frequent incorrect delivery of letters and packages. Based off survey data provided by the Borough of Kinnelon, a significant number of residents have also experienced incorrect address response from local Emergency Medical Services as well as difficulties securing credit. According to the Borough of Kinnelon, the shared ZIP Code has also hindered its ability to secure grants and has contributed to stagnated real estate values due to misleading demographics.

As you are aware, the Borough of Kinnelon's four previous requests for a unique ZIP Code have all been denied due to a "deficiency in their potential for growth and volume of deliveries." While we understand the criteria used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to issue unique ZIP Codes, the Borough experiences unique environmental circumstances, which have not been taken into consideration when evaluating their requests. The Borough of Kinnelon has 97 percent of its land mass located within the Highlands Preservation Area, a designation that has and will limit future building growth and development. The Borough of Kinnelon has been an excellent steward in protecting the Highlands Region, which is critical to supplying millions of New Jerseyans with drinking water and must remain protected and undeveloped. Yet due to the Borough of Kinnelon's unique location, they will never meet the current standard for growth as outlined by the USPS for a unique ZIP Code.

We understand that the USPS has yet to offer a viable solution to alleviate the concerns of the township. In turn, the Mayor of Kinnelon has contacted our offices for assistance. We strongly believe that Kinnelon's existing delivery concerns, public safety concerns, coupled with the unique makeup of the Borough merits a new, unique ZIP Code.

Thank you for your consideration of this important request. We hope you will give it full and fair consideration.

Source