by Jill Bliss, President

Jim Weitman, Vice President

Mark Dupar, Director

Yani Berkshire, Director

Susan Paxman, Director

Decatur Shores Community Association Board of Directors

This letter is in response to the San Juan Journal article, dated Tuesday Dec. 7, titled “Decatur residents upset over changes in mail delivery services”, written by Sienna Boucher.

Decatur Island is considered by the United States Postal Service to be a “one-drop” delivery location. Once mail reaches the island, it is “as if” it was at your front door. Two men contract with USPS to deliver mail to the island, by boat. From a private dock, which is an asset of Decatur Shores Community Association (DSCA), they bring the mail to the mail shed and sort it into boxes and onto shelves.

The recently replaced mail shed was constructed on DSCA property approximately 40+ years ago, by DSCA members and other volunteers who were not members. The original shed at the Decatur Shores airfield was built as a waiting shelter at the end of the runway. It evolved into a place for a small bag of mail to be dropped by plane. This was the only contract mail carrier for many years.

Over time, the location continued to be used as a mail drop. It made sense, given the proximity to the DSCA dock and the DSCA airstrip, which is now used for delivery by FedEx and UPS. 40 years later, and particularly the past two years during the pandemic, the increase in residents brought an increase in mail and packages. The mail shed became overcrowded and, in recent summers, temporary tent structures were erected adjacent to the shed to accommodate packages.

Decatur Shores organized an all-island meeting in 2017 for people to voice their concerns over the overcrowded mail shed. The intent of the meeting was to gather input from the entire island, in an effort to resolve the issue of the overcrowded mail delivery on Decatur Shores property. Focus was either to increase the size of the existing shed, or build a new larger structure.

DSCA built the new building at a cost of approximately $40,000. The old shed was repurposed as an emergency equipment shed. The new mail shed was built by volunteer Decatur Shores members, and by hiring outside contractors and workers only. Both buildings benefit the entire island. The new mail shed will require annual costs for phone and internet for both buildings ($1500); electricity ($1000); online secure access subscription ($500); a stipend for a facility administrator (estimated $1200). Increases in the mail load impact the Decatur Shores-owned dock, dock carts, road, airstrip and mail shed wear-and-tear, the maintenance cost and labor all being the responsibility of the DSCA members. These assets are not public property.

While the Association is committed to hosting the service, DSCA can no longer provide it at no cost. All who wish to use the mail shed are asked to contribute to the costs of the mail service through the purchase of locked mailboxes. The fee for a locked mailbox within the shed is the same for everyone. The difference is how the fees are paid. DSCA members may purchase a locked mailbox for a one-time fee of $75. Their annual association dues pay for road, dock, cart, airstrip and mail shed maintenance costs. Non-DSCA property owners pay an annual fee of $75 for a locked mailbox. This annual fee provides a secure mailbox, and contributes to DSCA asset maintenance costs.

Annual upkeep costs include: 300-400 hours of dock use; 400+ airfield landings and take-offs; dock cart replacement/repair; general facility maintenance and repair. At a cost of .25/per delivery day, or $75 annually, users receive a secure, dry facility for receiving mail and packages on the island. Recent theft of mail and packages from the old mail shed presented a need for security.

While we all would prefer an island life free of locks and key fobs, it is our duty to provide a secure facility to our membership and neighbors. Islands attract visitors, most often the best kind, but not always. We can’t leave security to chance anymore, with medications, checks, and personal correspondence up for grabs.

Currently there is discussion to add an unsecured General Delivery area for islanders who do not wish to pay. This could be in the form of mailboxes along the county road near the Decatur Shores mail facility. Those who prefer General Delivery are invited to contribute to this discussion. We have no intention of depriving residents of mail services, ever.

The Decatur Shores Community Association Board of Directors finds the article written by Sienna Boucher offensive and misleading. It serves to disunite the island communities. Had the board been asked to verify her information, we would have gladly done so. Unfortunately we were not given the opportunity. We request equal press to provide the public with clear facts about the mail delivery services on Decatur Island.

Editor’s note: The Journal reached out to the board prior to publication but did not hear back.