The U.S. Postal Service will hold a public meeting to discuss its proposal to move mail processing operations from the Tacoma Mail Processing Center into the Seattle Processing and Distribution Center. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 17, at the Tacoma Main Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S.

With the deep decline in mail volume due to current economic conditions and continuing electronic diversion, the Postal Service has an excess of employees and equipment in some mail processing operations. A study was begun on Sept. 15 at the Tacoma Mail Processing Center to determine the feasibility of consolidating redundant operations to see if any efficiencies and cost savings would be achieved.

Initial study results support consolidating mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the Tacoma Mail Processing Center by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Seattle Processing and Distribution Center in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity.

While no final decision has been reached, Postal Service managers will give an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes, and will listen to community input and concerns. A summary of the proposal and presentation materials is available online at http://about.usps.com/streamlining-operations/area-mail-processing.htm . Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing can send them to Consumer and Industry Contact, Seattle District, P.O. Box 90306, Seattle, WA 98109-9631. Public comments will be accepted through Dec. 2.