Rep. Lee Zeldin’s push for a separate zip code for Flanders, Riverside and Northampton continues in Washington this week.
Zeldin today announced a new bill that would create the zip code is scheduled to be voted on by the full House tomorrow. The bill, introduced on Nov. 14 by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah, passed out of committee on Nov. 16. Zeldin said he expects it to pass without objection.
If passed by the House, the bill would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by the president to become law.
Flanders-Riverside-Northampton Community Association president Ron Fisher is urging residents to get on the phone with the offices of U.S. senators Chuck Schumer (202-224-6542) and Kirsten Gillibrand (631-249-2825) to urge them to support the bill, which does not yet have a Senate sponsor.
Zeldin first petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to assign a new zip code for the three hamlets in the southwest corner of Southampton Town. The USPS regional district manager denied the request. Zeldin appealed the denial, but since then, the agency “has been unresponsive,” he said today.
Meanwhile, another Chaffetz bill, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2016 awaits action in the House. A section has been added to that legislation to require the postal service to assign a new zip code for Flanders, Riverside and Northampton.
Zeldin is still advocating for passage of that legislation, “but it is a much more detailed bill with major postal service reforms and negotiations are still ongoing,” Zeldin’s spokesperson said today.
“Congressman Zeldin is pursuing every legislative option available to achieve the goal of a new zip code for these communities,” spokesperson Jennifer DiSiena said.
Zeldin made the announcement today at a press conference he held at the Crohan Community Center in Flanders. He was joined by State Senator Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele.
Residents of the Flanders-Riverside-Northampton communities have been seeking a new zip code for years. The communities are currently within the boundaries of the Riverhead 11901 zip code and that often causes significant confusion. A separate zip code would also help the communities build a separate identity and boost community pride.
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