Post Office Clarifies 'No Rail, No Mail' Message To Winchester Residents

WINCHESTER (CBS) - After irking dozens of Winchester residents, the United States Postal Service has smoothed out the delivery of its so-called "no rail, no mail" message with a different tone.

As WBZ-TV reported on Tuesday, about 40 homeowners received letters from the USPS, informing them they had to move their mailboxes or install handrails on their front steps.

"Effective immediately, we will not deliver mail to your house," the letter warned.

However, the USPS district manager of the Boston area admitted to WBZ that the letter should have been worded differently.

Now, the Winchester homeowners have received a markedly different letter about the issue.

"Dear valued postal customer," the letter from Postmaster Bill Harris begins. "A letter you received earlier this month inadvertently contained some misinformation. Please afford me the opportunity to clarify."

The letter explains that USPS mail carriers have been asked to identify potential safety risks because of an uptick in slip, trip and fall accidents. Handrails can be a key factor in preventing tumbles to the sidewalk, the letter said.

Homeowners can either relocate their mailboxes to a side door or ground level if the handrail option is financially or aesthetically unfeasible. The goal is to work out solutions prior to snow and ice arriving.

"I look forward to working with you personally to alleviate potential hazards and insure safe, secure, and timely delivery of your mail," Harris wrote.

Ryan Kath can be reached at rkath@cbs.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.