UPDATE: On Saturday, Aug. 5, the U.S. Postal Service notified customers it will suspend service at the East Boothbay office on Aug. 15.

A note distributed to EBB customers said suspension is due to health, safety and structural issues identified in the building. The note, signed by Donald Chasteen, identified only as manager of post office operations, said change always causes concern. He said officials have not made a final decision to permanently discontinue the East Boothbay Post Office.

“Should any such decision be made in the future, the Postal Service will solicit feedback from customers on any potential discontinuance actions,” Chasteen’s note said.

Postal customers who have P.O. Box service at the EBB office will get their mail at the Boothbay Harbor Post Office. Customers who receive street delivery should not experience much change, except they may have to pick up packages at the Harbor Post Office, the note said.

ORIGINAL POST: East Boothbay postal workers are preparing to leave the riverside office where residents and summer visitors have picked up their mail for more than 50 years.

The reason behind the move is unclear. “I am told by our facility folks that the town told us we need to vacate the building,” said Stephen Doherty, a press spokesman for the USPS.

Dan Miller, owner of Ocean Point Marina, leases the facility to the USPS. He said no one from the post office has complained to him. Miller said he looked under the building and said it looked pretty solid. “My son lives on the third floor. I wouldn’t let him live there if something was wrong with that building,” he said.

Boothbay Post Office manager Anthony Allen declined comment.

Miller said the new East Boothbay post office supervisor has been on the job for three months, and he has not complained to him about the building he has leased to the USPS for 21 years.