SPRINGFIELD CENTER - Springfield residents hoping to see the post office on Route 80 relocate to a less dangerous location are out of luck for at least a few more years.

"At this time, the postal service is not looking for alternate quarters," said John Riley, manager of post office operations for capital cities west, the region in which Springfield falls. "We're relatively happy with the facility we're in."

At the June 13 town board meeting, Springfield resident Fred Culbert spoke about a petition filed in August of 2003 signed by 175 people favoring the relocation of the Springfield Center U.S. Postal Service's office to the community center.

The petition cited concerns that the present site was dangerous, parking was too limited and that the facility itself was too small for workers and the public. The petition also stated that if the post office were to rent from the town, it would generate income from a property already being maintained and would be a safer, more accessible location.

"Most people are used to going there anyway," Culbert said, pointing out that the community center housed several other organizations. "There's certainly more space at the community center. It's worth taking a look at."

Town supervisor Thomas Armstrong said some of the petition's claims may not be entirely accurate.

"I think it's overstated," he said. "There are plenty of parking spaces [at the current location]."

Armstrong said he hadn't heard postmaster Allen Manikas complain about the premises as being dangerous or too small, but noted he had never asked him about it.

Manikas declined to comment about whether the location was dangerous or not spacious enough, referring questions to his boss John Riley.

While many residents agree that the spot isn't as safe as it could be, not everyone thinks it should be relocated.

"It's convenient here, but I can see their point," said Route 20 resident Ruth Casalere, who has a box at the Springfield Center location. "You can't see around that curve."

"Parking is bad at all post offices," said Springfield resident Laura Carter. "For me it doesn't really matter. I think it would be nice for Allen if he had more space though." Carter said she was asked to sign the petition, but did not do so.

Originally signed two years ago, the town took no action in regard to the petition until its last meeting in June. At the meeting, Nancy Sloan said the post office needed a letter on record that the space was available for rent. Town clerk Jeanette Armstrong sent a letter following a motion passed by the town board asking her to do so.

Businesses and municipalities cannot solicit the post office to change locations, but can notify them of available space, Riley said. He said the lease on the Route 80 location is available for renewal until around 2010, meaning they were not actively searching for a new location.

Initially, there was some confusion about whether the U.S. Postal Service could rent from the town, but after receiving a Congressional inquiry from New York State Representative Sherwood Bohlert's office, Riley said it would be legal to rent the community center space to the Postal Service.

He said they require all locations to be rented out at a reasonable rate, must be in sound working order in accordance with basic guidelines and must be in a good location. He said they have not evaluated the community center as a location, although they would not rule out doing so in the future.

Mail is not delivered to Springfield resident homes, meaning that all residents have to get a post office box at Springfield Center location or in nearby villages, Manikas said. The Springfield Center location has 375 regular customers, and a lot of additional traffic from seasonal tourists passing through or working at the opera, Manikas said.