The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Council on Aging sent to Post Office for a tour

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The Wellesley Hills Post Office hosted the Council on Aging for a tour of the inner workings of the government building. I’ve always been curious about what goes on behind the front counter, so I hopped on the tour and got a few pics. Here’s what’s behind the scenes:

Wellesley Hills Post Office
We started out in the PO boxes area. Our tour guide Pamela, a 31-year veteran of the USPS, explained that most of the work to sort the mail into the boxes is done manually. “The mail comes to us from South Station. Employees get here at around 4am to get started for the day. By 11am, the mail is in the boxes.” In addition, packages get sorted, and mail trucks are loaded.
Wellesley Hills Post Office
What we’ve got here is “The Cage.” Pamela explained that at one time all post offices had a cage, used to store items of high value. Plenty of high-end stuff still comes through the post office, but now those items are stored in a safe before they make it to their final destination. Post offices probably keep The Cage around just in case Danny DeVito ever stops by and needs a place to bark out orders and deliver sarcasm.
Wellesley Hills Post Office
The “postage due” area is another vestige of days gone by. Today, you’ve either paid the postage, or you haven’t. If you haven’t, your mail is coming back to you. No more of this setting aside of deadbeat mail until someone takes pity on it and pays its way.
Wellesley Hills Post Office
COA visitors pose for a group shot at the Wellesley Hills Post Office. Thanks, Pamela, for a tour that was signed, sealed, and delivered with aplomb.

Wellesley Post Office hours and locations:

Wellesley Hills Post Office
337 Washington St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-235-4374
Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm
Sat, 8am – 1pm
Sun, Closed

Wellesley Square Post Office
One Grove St., Wellesley, MA 02482
781-235-3666
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 6pm
Saturday: 8am – 1pm
Sunday: Closed

Babson College-area Post Office
231 Forest St, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-235-4376
Mon – Fri, 9am – 1pm; 2:34 – 4:30pm
Sat and Sun, closed
Pro tip: When you’ve left mailing your holiday packages to the very last minute, this is the only place in town to go. It’s out of the way, parking is limited, the hours are weird, the place is a hole in the wall, and there’s hardly ever a line. You’re welcome.

All post offices are closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

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