Township to renew Belwood post office lease

BELWOOD – The postmaster of the Belwood post office, Lora McFadden, is retiring in the fall, and she notified Centre Wellington staff that she will be terminating the lease of the Belwood post office effective Oct. 1.

McFadden signed a lease with Centre Wellington Township for space at 8460 Wellington Road 19, the West Garafraxa public works garage, in June 2023 after a November 2022 fire razed the Belwood post office.

“Township staff are awaiting news from Canada Post in regards to future plans for a post office in Belwood,” CAO Dan Wilson wrote in a report to council that was discussed at the July 30 council meeting.

But with the municipal election slated for Oct. 26, Wilson sought delegated authority to sign a new lease agreement with Canada Post should that occur before a new council is elected.

Council appreciated the importance of having a post office in Belwood and approved the request.

“I appreciate everyone’s response to the fire,” said Mayor Shawn Watters.

“The community came together to figure it out. I thank council and staff for their heartfelt role in the program.”